In the early hours of Wednesday morning, an Israeli airstrike struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, witnesses reported, just hours after the United States expressed its opposition to the extent of Israeli military operations in the city. This latest attack raises alarms amid a growing death toll and fears of an escalating conflict involving Iran.
Witnesses in Beirut reported hearing a blast followed by a visible plume of smoke, coinciding with an evacuation order issued by the Israeli military for a building in the area. According to the UN refugee agency, the evacuation orders are impacting over a quarter of Lebanon, highlighting the extensive reach of Israel’s military actions since the incursions began two weeks ago, aimed at countering Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati revealed on Tuesday that his discussions with U.S. officials led to a “kind of guarantee” that Israel would limit its airstrikes in Beirut and its suburbs. The last major airstrike in the city occurred on October 10, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and extensive destruction in a crowded neighborhood.
Israeli military operations have intensified following the elimination of key Hezbollah leaders, including secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah last month. In a statement reflecting the ongoing tensions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed French President Emmanuel Macron that he opposes a unilateral ceasefire and criticized Macron’s initiative to organize a conference regarding Lebanon.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the United States has communicated its concerns regarding the recent bombardments to the Israeli government, indicating a shift in tone regarding the conflict. He emphasized that the U.S. opposes the scope and nature of the bombing campaigns in Beirut over the past few weeks.
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting persists as the Israeli military captures three members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, transporting them to Israel for interrogation. Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Naim Qassem, acknowledged the group’s intention to retaliate against Israel but also called for a ceasefire.
Recent Israeli airstrikes have led to a staggering toll of at least 2,350 fatalities and nearly 11,000 injuries over the past year, according to the Lebanese health ministry, with more than 1.2 million people displaced. The casualties include hundreds of women and children, underscoring the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict.
As tensions continue to escalate, Israeli operations have predominantly focused on areas in the Bekaa Valley, southern Lebanon, and the suburbs of Beirut. The United Nations peacekeeping forces have reported that Israeli fire has repeatedly struck their bases, resulting in injuries to peacekeepers.
Sources By Agencies
