Israeli Airstrike Shakes Central Beirut, Claiming Five Lives Amid Escalating Lebanon Conflict

An Israeli airstrike late Monday hit a densely populated area in central Beirut, Lebanon, killing at least five people and wounding 24, as the United States pressed ahead with efforts to broker a cease-fire. The attack struck the Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood, located near Lebanon’s parliament, the prime minister’s office, and the local U.N. headquarters, according to the state-run National News Agency.

This escalation follows Israel’s intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. Hezbollah has launched repeated attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, prompting Israeli retaliation.

The residential area targeted on Monday has become a refuge for many of the one million displaced by the ongoing conflict. Ambulances raced through the streets as witnesses described chaos, with casualties reported near a Shia mosque.

U.S. Cease-Fire Proposal in Focus

The United States is promoting a cease-fire plan that would remove Israeli ground forces from Lebanon while relocating Hezbollah forces far from the Israeli border. Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, is expected to meet U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein in Beirut on Tuesday to discuss the proposal. The White House has not yet confirmed Hochstein’s visit.

Labor Minister Mostafa Bayram expressed optimism, stating that Lebanon would convey a “positive position” toward the latest U.S. initiative, raising hopes for a resolution.

Renewed Strikes in Beirut

Monday’s airstrike marked the second consecutive day of Israeli attacks on central Beirut after a month-long pause. On Sunday, strikes in Ras el-Nabaa killed Hezbollah spokesperson Mohammed Afif and six others. Later that day, a separate strike in the Mar Elias district killed four civilians.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attacks on X (formerly Twitter), urging the global community to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. The resolution, established in 2006 to end the Israel-Hezbollah war, calls for a buffer zone in southern Lebanon but has faced implementation challenges.

Cease-Fire Negotiations Remain Fraught

The U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeeping forces assuming control south of the Litani River. Hezbollah would also retreat from the area.

However, significant hurdles remain. Israel seeks guarantees to retain the right to conduct military actions against Hezbollah if necessary—a demand unlikely to be accepted by Lebanon. Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer stated that operations would persist until the “immediate threat” from Hezbollah is eliminated.

Casualties Mount on Both Sides

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 3,500 deaths in Lebanon, according to its Health Ministry, with most casualties attributed to Israeli strikes. In Israel, 77 people, including 31 soldiers, have died due to Hezbollah projectiles, while more than 50 Israeli soldiers have been killed in ground operations in southern Lebanon.

On Monday, Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles into northern Israel. A rocket that struck the city of Shfaram killed one woman and injured ten others, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue services.

As international diplomats continue their efforts, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with no immediate resolution in sight.