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Israel Strikes Central Beirut, Killing Six Amid Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah

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Early on Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut, killing at least six people, as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah reached new heights. The strike hit a building in the Bachoura district, close to Lebanon’s parliament, marking the closest Israeli attack to central Beirut in the ongoing conflict. Lebanese health officials confirmed the casualties, and additional reports suggested multiple injuries from the attack.

Israel’s military said the airstrike was a precise operation against Hezbollah-related targets, following the loss of eight Israeli soldiers in ground combat in southern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah has engaged Israeli forces near the border, destroying three Israeli tanks. This marked the first major ground confrontation since Israeli troops entered Lebanon earlier in the week.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued issuing evacuation orders for Lebanese villages near the border, as Israeli air raids on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh also resumed. Three missiles targeted the area where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week.

The conflict is drawing increasing international concern. U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israel to respond proportionally, despite Iran’s massive missile strike on Israel earlier this week, which Israel said involved over 180 missiles. G7 leaders and China have called for diplomacy, urging the United Nations Security Council to intervene to de-escalate the situation. Meanwhile, Western nations are preparing contingency evacuation plans for citizens in Lebanon as the violence intensifies.

The death toll from almost a year of cross-border clashes has surpassed 1,900, with over 9,000 wounded, according to Lebanese officials. The conflict has displaced around 1.2 million people within Lebanon.

 

Hezbollah and Israel Exchange Heavy Fire Following Deadly Israeli Strike

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Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on Sunday as both sides exchanged heavy fire across Lebanon’s southern border. Israeli airstrikes, some of the most intense in nearly a year, targeted Hezbollah positions, while the Iran-backed group launched rocket attacks on Israeli military targets in response. According to Israel’s military, approximately 290 Hezbollah targets were hit on Saturday, including rocket launchers.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for striking Israel’s Ramat David Airbase with missiles, marking its deepest attack since hostilities began. In addition, Iran-backed Iraqi militants also claimed a drone strike on Israel early Sunday. Israeli air defenses intercepted most of the rockets and missiles, though some buildings were damaged, and a few people were treated for minor injuries.

This latest exchange follows an Israeli airstrike on Friday that killed 37 people, including senior Hezbollah figures, in a Lebanese suburb. Among the casualties were senior leaders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi. Israel’s military said the strike targeted an underground meeting of Hezbollah commanders and nearly dismantled the group’s military chain of command.

Friday’s attack significantly escalated tensions, with Hezbollah retaliating by launching rockets at Israeli military facilities. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the continuation of operations until the northern residents could safely return to their homes, signaling a protracted conflict.

U.S. officials, while expressing concern over the risk of further escalation, pointed out that the killing of Hezbollah’s leadership brought “justice” to the group. However, Hezbollah remains determined to fight until Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, where conflict with Hamas rages on.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati canceled his trip to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, as the situation worsened. Tensions remain high as both Hezbollah and Israel brace for further retaliation. Since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began in October, more than 740 people have died in Lebanon, marking the worst violence since the 2006 war.

 

Israeli Strikes in the West Bank Kill at Least 10; Jenin Sealed Off Amid Ongoing Conflict

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Israeli airstrikes in the West Bank have resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people, according to Palestinian officials. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their operations across the occupied West Bank, including a significant military presence in the city of Jenin, which has been completely sealed off. The city’s entry and exit points have been blocked, including access to hospitals, following a series of raids described by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz as a “full-fledged war” against “Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructures.”

The IDF confirmed operations in Jenin and Tulkarm, and Palestinian sources report that seven people were killed in Tubas early Wednesday, with an additional two fatalities in Jenin. The victims in Jenin have been identified as Qassam Jabarin, 25, and Asem Balout, 39.

In response to the escalating conflict, armed factions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah have announced their engagement with Israeli forces. Clashes in the West Bank have intensified since the 7 October attacks and the subsequent invasion of Gaza, leading to frequent vigilante-style attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities.

In a separate development, the IDF announced the elimination of five individuals in Nur Shams on Monday, describing them as terrorists. This includes Jibril Jasan Ismail, who was reportedly released in a November 2023 agreement, as well as Mohanad Qarawi, Muhammad Yussef, and Adnan Jaber.

The violence has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports at least 637 deaths in the West Bank since early October, including armed fighters, stone-throwing youths, and civilians. In contrast, Israeli reports indicate at least 30 Israeli fatalities in Jerusalem and the West Bank during the same period.

In Gaza, Israeli strikes have also claimed at least 16 lives in Khan Younis, including five women and three children. The fatalities include a brother and sister, and their relative, who died in their home. Additionally, a late-night airstrike in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of local journalist Mohamed Abdrabu and his sister.