Israel strikes central Beirut amid escalating conflict with Hezbollah
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Israel launched an airstrike on central Beirut, killing at least nine people, following intense clashes with Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon.
The attack hit a residential building in the Bashoura district, close to the Lebanese parliament.
Health officials reported that 14 others were injured, with four receiving hospital treatment. The building was reportedly associated with Hezbollah's health unit, according to the group’s aligned media outlet, al-Manar TV.
This marked the second Israeli strike on Beirut in the past week.
Hezbollah's Islamic Health Authority confirmed that seven of its staff, including two medics, were among the victims of the attack. The southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, another Hezbollah stronghold, were also targeted by missiles. The area had already been reeling after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a recent strike, reported Al-Jazeera.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Red Cross reported that an Israeli attack hit a convoy of paramedics and Lebanese soldiers, killing one soldier and injuring four paramedics during an evacuation operation near the southern village of Taybeh. Despite coordination with UN peacekeepers, the convoy was still struck.
On the ground, Israel has been engaged in heavy fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Israel's military reported killing 15 Hezbollah fighters during an airstrike in the town of Bint Jbeil. However, Israel has also suffered losses, with eight of its soldiers killed in ground combat earlier this week. Hezbollah claims to have pushed back Israeli forces at multiple locations along the border, with the group's media chief, Mohammad Afif, stating that the battles were only the "first round."
Amid mounting losses, Israel has resumed aerial bombardments, with both sides continuing to trade fire near the town of Nabatieh. Hezbollah reported firing around 200 rockets into Israel. Israel has issued evacuation orders for southern Lebanese towns near the border and warned civilians not to return until further notice.
As tensions rise, Hezbollah and its regional allies, including the Houthis from Yemen, have launched attacks in solidarity with Hamas in its ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza. The Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Tel Aviv, which Israel said it intercepted.
Despite the intensified air raids, Israel’s military insists that its ground offensive in Lebanon remains focused on neutralizing Hezbollah infrastructure along the border, with no immediate plans to extend operations to Beirut or other major cities in southern Lebanon.
