Israeli Airstrike Levels Beirut Building Amid Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Israeli airstrike early Monday destroyed a multistory apartment building in central Beirut. The strike marked the first direct hit on the city center in nearly a year. It came as Israeli forces intensified their assault on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.
Heavy Casualties and Civilian Impact
The airstrike flattened a residential building in a predominantly Sunni district, according to local reports. Videos from the scene depicted ambulances racing through the crowded streets as emergency crews and civilians gathered around the wreckage. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the strike left dozens of people wounded, with casualties expected to rise.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Palestinian leftist faction, confirmed that three of its members were killed in the attack. Although the PFLP is not directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the strike underscores the growing intensity of Israeli operations in the region.
Additionally, Lebanon’s Civil Defense reported that a member of the al-Jamaa al-Islamiya militant group was killed. However, the Sunni faction, which typically aligns with Hezbollah, has yet to confirm this loss. Another airstrike further south in Tyre killed a Hamas commander, Fatah Sharif, along with his family, highlighting the widening scope of Israeli attacks on militant groups within Lebanon.
Israel Targets Hezbollah Leaders
In recent weeks, Israel has significantly ramped up its military efforts against Hezbollah, striking key locations in Beirut’s southern suburbs and other Hezbollah strongholds. One of the most notable developments was the confirmed death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a significant airstrike on Friday. Nasrallah, a prominent figure in the regional militant landscape, had long evaded Israeli attacks. His death marks a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership.
Israel’s intensified offensive has killed seven senior Hezbollah commanders in the past week, including founding members of the organization who had eluded death or capture for decades. Among the fallen leaders is Nabil Kaouk, deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Council and a veteran commander from the group’s early days in the 1980s. These losses have significantly disrupted Hezbollah’s command structure.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes across the country killed over 100 people on Sunday alone, including 32 in the southern city of Sidon and 21 in Baalbek Hermel province. As civilian casualties mount, international concern is growing over the broader humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Hezbollah’s Retaliation Escalates
In response to Israel’s aggressive strikes, Hezbollah has drastically increased its rocket and missile launches toward northern Israel. According to Israeli military sources, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of projectiles daily, with many intercepted by Israel’s advanced defense systems. Despite the damage caused by these attacks, Israel maintains that its airstrikes have severely degraded Hezbollah’s military capabilities, preventing even larger-scale rocket launches.
Regional Tensions Spread to Yemen
The conflict’s repercussions extended beyond Lebanon, as Israel launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday. This followed a ballistic missile attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis on Israel’s Ben Gurion airport. The Israeli military targeted vital infrastructure in the Yemeni city of Hodeida, including power plants and ports used by the Houthis.
The Houthis, who are part of Iran’s regional alliance against Israel, vowed to continue their attacks despite Israeli retaliation. Nasruddin Ammer, a senior Houthi official, stated that their missile and drone operations against Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea would intensify.
International Response and Calls for Ceasefire
Amid the escalating violence, U.S. President Joe Biden urged restraint, warning against an all-out regional war. Speaking to reporters, Biden emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to prevent a wider conflict. U.S. officials have been working with international partners, including France and Egypt, to broker a temporary ceasefire.
Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby acknowledged the significant damage inflicted on Hezbollah’s leadership. Still, he warned that the group would work swiftly to rebuild. Kirby underscored the importance of continued vigilance, noting that while the death of Nasrallah and other leaders represents a significant setback, Hezbollah remains a formidable force in the region.
Humanitarian Crisis Grows in Lebanon
The relentless airstrikes have driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in Lebanon. The government estimates that 250,000 displaced residents seek refuge in shelters, while many others stay with family or go camping on the streets. The civilian toll is staggering, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting over 1,000 deaths, including many women and children, in less than two weeks of conflict.
As the war shows no signs of abating, the possibility of a broader regional confrontation looms, with Hezbollah and its allies in Yemen and Gaza continuing to challenge Israel’s military dominance. Both sides appear locked in a deadly cycle of attack and retaliation, with civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution to avoid further devastation in the Middle East.