Two Israeli drone strikes reportedly hit vehicles along the Al-Jiyeh highway south of Beirut within less than an hour, sending massive flames and smoke into the sky and triggering panic across the busy coastal road. Footage circulating online showed burning vehicles scattered across the highway after the strikes reportedly targeted multiple cars in quick succession on May 13, 2026. The attacks intensified fears of another dangerous escalation near Lebanon’s capital as emergency crews rushed to the scene to extinguish fires and transport victims. Witnesses described chaotic moments as traffic came to a standstill and civilians fled the area amid fears of additional strikes.

Lebanese health officials stated that at least three separate strikes along the Beirut-Sidon coastal road killed eight people, including two children and a woman from the same family. Authorities claimed the victims were civilians traveling through the area when the vehicles were struck, fueling outrage and grief throughout nearby communities. The reported deaths of children and noncombatants are expected to increase pressure on international organizations and regional governments already warning about the worsening humanitarian situation in southern Lebanon. Local residents described the aftermath as devastating, with charred vehicles and debris spread across sections of the highway.

The strikes come amid continuing tensions between Israel and armed groups operating in Lebanon, with cross-border hostilities repeatedly threatening to expand into a wider regional conflict. Israeli military operations targeting suspected militant activity in Lebanon have intensified in recent months, while Lebanese officials continue accusing Israel of carrying out attacks that endanger civilians and destabilize the country further. The latest incident is likely to trigger renewed international scrutiny as concerns grow over the rising civilian toll and the possibility of broader military confrontation across the region. Analysts warn that repeated strikes near populated civilian areas could further inflame tensions and push the conflict into an even more dangerous phase.