As missiles lit up the skies between Iran and Israel over the weekend, some Lebanese rooftops became unlikely sites of celebration.
Videos shared on social media show people in a large swimming pool dancing, clapping and cheering as long-range missiles soar into Israel.
In one video, a saxophonist played next to a DJ while partygoers cheered. In another, a couple danced under the glow of explosions in the distance.
Highlights
- Lebanese parties and weddings were celebrated on rooftops and pools as Iranian missiles flew over towards Israel.
- Israel launched a major airstrike targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites.
- U.S. President Trump allegedly refused an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s leader and called out Iran for not signing a nuclear deal with the U.S.
Social media videos show Lebanese people celebrating as Iranian missiles soar into Israel
Image credits: Ramiz Dallah/Getty Images
At a wedding party, guests danced to ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! while others filmed the streaks of light from missiles launched by Iran in response to Israeli airstrikes.
The scenes sharply contrasted with the destruction and fear gripping civilians in Iran and Israel.
Over the past four days, the two countries have exchanged hundreds of missiles and drones, escalating a conflict that has already left hundreds dead and more hurt.
Iran said on Monday morning that at least 224 people have been killed and over 1,500 wounded since last week.
On Friday, Israel launched major airstrikes on Iranian military sites and nuclear infrastructure.
An IDF spokesperson said targets included air defense systems and missile launchers, as well as urban areas.
More than 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked about 100 targets across Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it Operation Rising Lion.
It is a targeted military operation to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” he said.
Netanyahu said the operation could go on for days and was in response to how close Iran was to producing nuclear weapons.
Iran responded by firing over 370 missiles and drones at Israel.
Iranian missile strikes hit multiple sites across the country, including residential buildings.
As of Monday, Israel said at least 24 people had been killed in the country and over 500 injured.
Image credits: Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images
After several days of bombing Iranian air defenses, the Israeli military claimed it has “full aerial superiority” over parts of Iran, including the capital, Tehran.
“Now we can say that we have achieved full air supremacy in the Tehran airspace,” said Israeli military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin.
He added that Israel had destroyed over 120 Iranian missile launchers — about one-third of Iran’s capacity.
On Monday, Iran announced it had launched 100 missiles for further retaliation.
On Friday, Israel launched major airstrikes on Iranian military sites and nuclear infrastructure
Image credits: Fatemeh Bahrami/Getty Image
The apparent celebrations in Lebanon come after a major conflict broke out between Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel last year.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, is widely designated by Western governments and their allies as a terrorist organization.
Its conflict with Israel escalated when Israel “eliminated” senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut in July 2024.
Cross-border attacks, which had been ongoing since October 2023, intensified, and by October 1 last year, Israel had launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
According to the BBC, Lebanese authorities said about 4,000 people were killed, including many civilians, and over a million were displaced.
According to the BBC, Lebanese authorities said about 4,000 people were killed, including many civilians, and over a million were displaced.
A ceasefire agreement was announced on November 27.
As Iranian missiles were flying over Lebanese territory, some Lebanese locals responded with celebration.
It comes as Iran threatened to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
NPT is a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Iran threatening to withdraw followed an Israeli strike on one of its nuclear sites on Friday.
Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.
Image credits: Askin Kiyagan/Getty Images
It has also been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sources told CNN over the weekend.
On Sunday morning, Netanyahu said there are “so many false reports of conversations that never happened and I’m not going to get into that.”
A spokesperson for Netanyahu later told CNN the reports of Trump rejecting an Israeli plan are “FAKE.”
Trump has said that while the U.S. is not involved, it could get to that stage.
“We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved,” he told ABC News.
On Monday, at the G7 summit, Trump said that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States, and that he believes they now want to make an agreement.
“I think Iran is foolish not to sign,” Trump told reporters.
However, Tuesday morning, Trump asked the people in Tehran to evacuate.
He wrote on Truth Social, “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
Western leaders, including those from the U.S. and the European Union, have urged both sides to de-escalate.