On Thursday night, Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut, killing 18 people and wounding at least 92, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes targeted a densely populated area, including a gas station, resulting in widespread destruction. A senior Hezbollah figure was reportedly the intended target, although their identity remains unclear. The attack marks an escalation in hostilities, as Israel had previously focused its strikes on Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold.
Rescue workers searched through the rubble for survivors amid large fires caused by the explosions. The area hit had not been targeted by Israel in previous strikes, raising concerns about further civilian casualties. The Israeli military issued new evacuation warnings for parts of Beirut, urging residents of the southern suburbs to flee the area.
In another incident, two UNIFIL peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli tank fired at their watchtower near the UN’s main headquarters in Ras al-Naqoura. The UN condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law, and is following up with Israeli authorities. The White House also expressed concern over Israeli fire on U.N. positions and is seeking more information.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed to have fired missiles at Israeli forces as they attempted to evacuate casualties from the Ras al-Naqoura area. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon urged UNIFIL to relocate for their safety, emphasizing that Israel’s focus is on eliminating Hezbollah threats to its northern border.
The conflict, which started over a year ago when Hezbollah fired in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war, has intensified in recent weeks. Israeli strikes across Lebanon have killed over 2,000 people, with the majority of deaths occurring since late September. Tensions remain high, with concerns about regional escalation, especially after an Iranian missile strike earlier this month. Gulf states have urged the U.S. to prevent further Israeli attacks on Iranian oil facilities, fearing retaliation on their own infrastructure.
