Beirut Reels as Israeli Strikes Intensify, Hezbollah Retaliates with Rocket Barrage

A wave of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon has reached a new level of intensity, with a strike on a residential building in central Beirut, the first of its kind in nearly a year, leveling the structure and leaving a grim scene of destruction, The Associated Press reports.

The attacks, which have claimed the lives of dozens of people and targeted Hezbollah leadership, have sparked a significant increase in rocket attacks from Hezbollah towards Israel. The Israeli military reported that the number of daily rocket launches from Lebanon has surged from several dozen to several hundred in the past week.

The Israeli strikes have focused heavily on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. This included a major strike on Friday, reportedly killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The group confirmed the deaths of several senior leaders, including Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of its Central Council, and Ali Karaki, another senior commander. Israel claims that at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed, including a key member of Nasrallah’s security detail.

The airstrikes have left a trail of devastation across Lebanon, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting at least 105 people killed in airstrikes on Sunday alone. Two strikes near Sidon, south of Beirut, killed 32 people, while another strike in the Baalbek Hermel province claimed 21 lives and injured 47.

While Israel maintains that its strikes are targeting militants, the attacks have hit civilian areas, including homes and buildings where civilians reside. The death toll is expected to rise.

The airstrikes in Sidon prompted a chilling scene captured on video, showing a building swaying before collapsing. One TV station broadcast pictures of a family trapped under the rubble, urging viewers to pray for their survival.

Amid the destruction, Hezbollah has responded with a heavy barrage of rockets towards Israel. While most of the rockets and drones have been intercepted or fallen in open areas, the attacks have caused damage and injuries. The Israeli military claims that its strikes have hampered Hezbollah’s capabilities, suggesting the number of launches would be significantly higher without their ongoing air campaign.

President Joe Biden has voiced concerns about the escalating conflict, stating that he will speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid an all-out war.