Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut, Killing 18 Amid Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah
Residential Areas Devastated as Israel’s Campaign Against Iran-Backed Militants Takes a Heavy Toll
Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut on Thursday, killing at least 18 people and injuring dozens, Lebanon’s health ministry reported. The strikes leveled a residential building and caused another to collapse, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s widening campaign against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Unexpected Strikes in Central Beirut
While Israeli strikes have typically focused on Hezbollah’s strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, these rare attacks struck deeper inside the Lebanese capital, leaving two western neighborhoods in ruins. This unprecedented move signals a shift in Israel’s strategy and has sent shockwaves across the city. Smoke billowed from the wreckage as ambulances rushed to assist the wounded. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the strikes.
All-Out War Engulfs Lebanon and Israel
The conflict has escalated into all-out war, with Israel launching heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket fire into Israel, further intensifying the conflict. The death toll in Lebanon has risen sharply, with over 2,169 people killed and more than 10,000 injured since the war began last October.
UN Peacekeepers Caught in the Crossfire
Further south, the UN peacekeeping force reported that an Israeli tank fired on its headquarters in Naqoura, injuring two peacekeepers. This attack drew widespread condemnation, including from Italy, whose defense ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest the strikes.