Five Dead After Israeli Airstrike in Central Beirut
At least five people have been killed and eight others injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted a building in central Beirut, according to Lebanese officials. The building, located in the Bachoura district, housed a health center affiliated with Hezbollah, which the Israeli military claimed was the target of a “precision strike.”
This marks the first time Israeli forces have hit an area so close to Beirut’s center, just meters from the Lebanese parliament. Overnight, Israel also launched five additional airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Dahieh, a southern suburb of the city.
The airstrikes follow intense fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants along the southern Lebanon border. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported the deaths of eight soldiers during combat, the first casualties since launching ground operations against Hezbollah. These troops were part of an offensive aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the region, particularly in Lebanese border villages.
Intense Clashes and Retaliation
Hezbollah responded to the Israeli assault, claiming to have destroyed Israeli tanks and insisting that they have enough fighters and resources to resist. The IDF confirmed that more infantry and armored units had been deployed in southern Lebanon to continue the mission.
In Beirut’s Dahieh suburb, three explosions rocked the area, with a fourth blast reported closer to the city’s center. Two more airstrikes followed, after the IDF issued warnings to residents, signaling they were targeting Hezbollah facilities in the group’s stronghold.
Lebanese health officials stated that in the last 24 hours, 46 people had been killed and 85 injured in Israeli attacks across the country. The government did not specify whether the victims were civilians or militants.
Among those killed was 56-year-old Kamel Ahmad Jawad, a US permanent resident from Michigan. Jawad had traveled to Lebanon to care for his elderly mother, according to reports from The Detroit News. His death was confirmed by US officials, with the White House describing his passing as “a tragedy.”
Hezbollah’s Capabilities Under Strain
After enduring two weeks of relentless Israeli strikes, Hezbollah has suffered significant losses. Lebanese authorities estimate that more than 1,200 people have been killed across the country, and around 1.2 million have been displaced. Despite this, Hezbollah claims to have inflicted damage on Israeli forces, including targeting Israeli commandos with anti-tank missiles and destroying three Merkava tanks near Maroun al-Ras.
Israel’s offensive follows almost a year of escalating hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border, which intensified following the war in Gaza. The IDF insists that its ground invasion is aimed at ensuring the safe return of displaced Israelis living near the border, who have fled due to Hezbollah attacks.
Broader Regional Implications
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has further complicated regional dynamics. Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a top Iranian commander last week.
On Wednesday, Israeli air defenses intercepted most of the 240 rockets launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, honoring the fallen soldiers, vowed to push back Hezbollah and described the conflict as part of a broader battle against Iran’s influence in the region.
While Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s determination to weaken Hezbollah, US President Joe Biden signaled a more cautious approach. He stated that while the US supports Israel’s defense, he does not endorse an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites. Biden added that discussions with Israeli leadership were ongoing regarding the next steps in response to the Iranian missile barrage.
As the fighting continues, the region remains on edge, with no signs of de-escalation in sight.
