Israel Strikes Beirut in Retaliation for Hezbollah Losses, Killing at Least 9
Israeli airstrikes have targeted Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, resulting in the deaths of at least nine civilians, Al Jazeera reports.
The attack, which occurred overnight, hit a building in the residential district of Bashoura, located near the parliament.
Lebanese health officials reported 14 additional wounded, four of whom remain hospitalized. This marks the second attack on Beirut this week, following a previous strike on a high-rise building linked to Hezbollah’s health unit, according to al-Manar TV, a Hezbollah-aligned news channel. The Islamic Health Authority, affiliated with Hezbollah, confirmed the deaths of seven staff members, including two medics, in the latest attack.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the strikes, which have drawn widespread condemnation. The attacks come as Israel faces mounting losses in its ground offensive in southern Lebanon, with eight Israeli soldiers killed in ground combat on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a Lebanese Red Cross convoy evacuating wounded civilians from southern Lebanon was also targeted by an Israeli airstrike on Thursday, resulting in the death of a Lebanese army soldier and injuries to four paramedics. The Red Cross confirmed that the convoy, accompanied by Lebanese troops, had coordinated its movements with United Nations peacekeepers prior to the attack.
Israel’s military has claimed to have killed 15 Hezbollah fighters in an air strike on a municipality building in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, where the group was reportedly operating. The Israeli offensive, launched on Tuesday, aims to destroy tunnels and other infrastructure along the border. Despite initial claims of no plans for wider operations, Israel has issued new evacuation orders for towns along the southern border, urging residents to head north of the Awali River.
The conflict in Lebanon has been fueled by Hezbollah’s involvement in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Lebanese group, along with Iran’s other regional allies, including Yemen’s Houthis and armed groups in Iraq, have launched attacks in support of Hamas.
On Thursday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial capital. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that the operation successfully achieved its goals, with the drones reaching their target undetected. Israel, however, said it intercepted a suspicious aerial target in central Israel.
