At least six individuals have lost their lives and eight others have sustained injuries following an Israeli air strike on a building in central Beirut, as reported by Lebanese officials. The targeted multi-storey structure in Bachoura was home to a health centre affiliated with Hezbollah. The Israeli military categorized the assault as a “precision” strike.
This incident marks the first Israeli aerial attack near the heart of Beirut, situated just a few meters from the Lebanese parliament. Alongside this strike, five additional air strikes targeted locations in the southern suburb of Dahieh overnight.
The escalation of hostilities occurred after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the deaths of eight soldiers in combat operations in southern Lebanon, marking the IDF’s first casualties since initiating ground actions against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed Israeli tanks amid the ongoing conflict, asserting it possesses sufficient manpower and munitions to repel Israeli forces. In an earlier announcement, the IDF revealed that they had deployed additional infantry and armored troops in an operation aimed at dismantling what it termed “terrorist infrastructure” in border villages.
During the recent overnight strikes, multiple explosions were reported in Dahieh, with one occurring closer to the city center. The IDF had warned nearby residents of planned strikes targeting Hezbollah facilities.
In the preceding 24 hours, Lebanon’s health ministry tallied 46 fatalities and 85 injuries from Israeli bombings, without distinguishing between combatants and civilians. Additionally, it was reported that a U.S. permanent resident from Michigan was among those killed in the latest air strikes. Kamel Ahmad Jawad, 56, was in Lebanon to assist his elderly mother, according to local reports.
His death, confirmed by a White House official, was described as a tragedy, mirroring the loss of many civilians in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s capacity has been diminished following two weeks of Israeli strikes that have claimed over 1,200 lives and displaced around 1.2 million individuals, according to Lebanese sources.
Israel’s aggressive military response comes after nearly a year of escalating cross-border tensions, primarily instigated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The IDF stated its objective was to secure the safe return of residents in border regions affected by Hezbollah’s actions.
Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political and military organization, holds significant power within Lebanon and is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other nations.
During the second full day of the ground invasion into Lebanon, Israeli troops engaged Hezbollah fighters for the first time. The IDF announced that their forces, supported by aircraft, had utilized precision-guided munitions to eliminate what they identified as terrorists and dismantle associated infrastructure in several areas of southern Lebanon.
The IDF confirmed that eight soldiers had been killed, primarily from elite reconnaissance units. Hezbollah reported that its fighters had launched anti-tank missiles at Israeli commandos, resulting in casualties during the clashes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, emphasizing their sacrifice in the fight against what he described as “Iran’s axis of evil.” He reinforced the commitment to prevail in the ongoing conflict.
On the defensive front, Israeli air defense systems successfully intercepted a significant number of ballistic missiles fired from Iran in retaliation for previous air strikes on Beirut that resulted in high-profile casualties, including top Hezbollah and Iranian military leaders.
In the wake of the increased tensions, more than 240 rockets were reportedly launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel on Wednesday. Netanyahu reiterated that the ground offensive aims to significantly degrade Hezbollah’s operational capabilities while facilitating the return of approximately 60,000 Israelis to their homes along the border.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he does not support an Israeli retaliatory strike on Iranian nuclear sites, indicating that discussions would take place regarding responses to the ongoing aggression.
