BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A loud explosion was heard in Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday, an AFP correspondent said, amid the latest outbreak of war between Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel.

Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the southern suburbs after the blast was heard, the AFP journalist reported.

The area, a Hezbollah stronghold whose residents the Israeli military ordered to evacuate, has been pounded by Israel over the past week but had not suffered any strikes since Saturday.