Israeli Air Strikes Kill Over 55 in Lebanon; Central Beirut Hit
Lebanon is reeling after Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed more than 55 people across the country, with many casualties reported in central Beirut. Lebanese authorities have confirmed the devastating toll as residents grapple with the aftermath.
One of the strikes hit the heart of Beirut, bringing down a residential building in the working-class Basta neighborhood and jolting the entire city. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 20 people were killed and 66 wounded in this attack alone.
“We saw two dead people on the ground… The children started crying and their mother cried even more,” recounted Samir, 60, a resident who lives opposite the destroyed building. The sudden devastation has left the community in shock and mourning.
The assault on the capital was followed by additional strikes in the city’s southern suburbs, areas previously warned for evacuation by the Israeli military. While Israel has not commented on the central Beirut strike, it confirmed that its air force has continued to target Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut.
A military statement from Israel mentioned that over the past week, “the air force struck dozens of Hezbollah command centers, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure in the Dahieh area.”
A Lebanese security source indicated that the central Beirut strike had “targeted a leading Hezbollah figure.” However, Hezbollah politician Amin Sherri denied reports of any officials being present at the time of the attack.
Similar unannounced strikes outside Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds—which include southern Beirut but not the city center—have historically targeted senior figures within the group.
The Health Ministry also reported that Israeli air strikes hit eastern Lebanon, resulting in 24 deaths, including 13 in the town of Shmostar overlooking the Bekaa Valley, another area known for Hezbollah activity.
In southern Lebanon, at least 14 people were killed, with five fatalities in the coastal city of Tyre, according to ministry officials. The cumulative impact of the strikes across multiple regions has heightened tensions and raised international concern over the escalating conflict.
The Lebanese government has condemned the attacks, calling for international intervention to halt the violence and protect civilians. As the situation unfolds, communities across Lebanon are bracing for further developments.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
