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Israel bombed central Beirut early Thursday, killing at least six people, following its deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes with Hezbollah.
According to a report on Reuters, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the airstrike as a precise operation targeting the Bachoura neighborhood, near Lebanon's parliament.
Witnesses reported a massive explosion, and a security source said the strike hit a building in the densely populated area. Lebanese health officials confirmed at least six fatalities and seven injuries, though the extent of damage was still being assessed.
Three more Israeli missiles struck Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week. The suburb had already faced heavy Israeli bombardment, with more than a dozen strikes recorded the previous day.
The IDF warned civilians in evacuated Lebanese villages not to return to their homes, emphasizing that operations would continue. "IDF raids are ongoing," spokesperson Adraee posted on X.
Tensions escalated after Iran fired more than 180 missiles into Israel on Wednesday, its largest-ever assault on Israeli soil. In southern Lebanon, eight Israeli soldiers were killed during ground combat, marking one of the most severe confrontations in recent months.
As hostilities intensified, Israeli forces expanded their ground operations in Lebanon, involving regular infantry and armored units. Hezbollah responded, claiming it had destroyed three Israeli Merkava tanks near the border town of Maroun El Ras.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, stating, "We are in the midst of a difficult war against Iran’s Axis of Evil, determined to destroy us. But we will stand together and, with God's help, we will prevail."
Lebanon’s health ministry reported 46 deaths from Israeli airstrikes across the country in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Iran signaled it would halt missile launches unless further provoked, but both Israel and the United States vowed strong retaliatory measures.
U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israel to act with proportionality, discouraging strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and called for a diplomatic resolution to prevent wider conflict. Biden joined G7 leaders in expressing concern over the crisis, though they maintained that a political solution was still feasible.
China, during a United Nations Security Council meeting, called for urgent actions to de-escalate the situation. "The Security Council must prioritize maintaining peace and stability in the region," China's representative Fu Cong said.
Hezbollah reported repelling Israeli forces in several border areas and said it had enough resources for a prolonged conflict. Israel, for its part, has significantly bolstered its military presence, deploying troops from elite brigades.
The conflict has displaced approximately 1.2 million people within Lebanon, according to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Many families have sought refuge in churches and shelters across the country. Among them, Malika Joumaa, displaced from Sidon, expressed gratitude for the support she received at Saint Joseph’s church in Beirut.
The violence was further fueled by Iran’s missile attack, which it claimed was in retaliation for Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah leaders and other Iran-backed groups, including Hamas in Gaza. Although no casualties were reported in Israel, the death toll continues to rise across Lebanon, pushing the country toward a deeper humanitarian crisis.
[Information sourced from Reuters]
