Significant explosions rocked the area near Beirut’s international airport, attributed to recent Israeli airstrikes directed at Hezbollah in the capital.
While the specific targets remain uncertain, the airport is adjacent to Dahieh, known as Hezbollah’s stronghold. As dawn broke on Friday, thick plumes of smoke were observable over the city.
In the latest developments, Lebanon’s public health ministry reported that 37 individuals have lost their lives in the past 24 hours due to Israeli air and ground assaults, with 151 others injured.
Additionally, two Lebanese soldiers were confirmed dead in southern Lebanon as Israeli ground operations against Hezbollah continued, resulting in further evacuation orders for 20 towns and villages.
The Israeli military has refrained from issuing a detailed response but reported eliminating Hezbollah fighters near the border area. In contrast, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli forces across the frontier.
The fatalities of the two soldiers occurred hours apart on Thursday, marking the third day of the ongoing invasion.
One soldier was killed during an evacuation operation in Taybeh village, while the second was fatally struck in Bint Jbeil following an attack on an army post.
In an alarming update, the Lebanese army reported that the first incident also left several Red Cross volunteers lightly injured, highlighting the precarious situation for humanitarian efforts amidst the conflict.
In a broad evacuation directive, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urged residents in multiple southern towns, including the regional capital of Nabatieh, to leave their homes immediately for safety reasons.
These new evacuation orders apply to areas situated north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border, raising concerns about the escalation of the conflict.
Before this military offensive, Israel had demanded that Hezbollah retreat to the Litani in alignment with UN Security Council resolutions following their last war in 2006.
In interviews from Beirut, humanitarian officials described the conditions as “horrific,” noting heavy smoke and a rising number of displaced individuals, especially children.
Official reports indicate that nearly half of the displaced persons encountered by aid organizations in government shelters are children under the age of 15.
Recent airstrikes also hit a residential building in Beirut, leading to casualties, including first responders associated with Hezbollah. In total, more than 40 emergency personnel have reportedly succumbed to Israeli fire within the past few days.
The Israeli Air Force has conducted strikes on alleged Hezbollah operatives and facilities, with local authorities reporting over 1,300 casualties and more than one million displaced persons across Lebanon since the onset of attacks.
Israel initiated these strikes after a series of cross-border skirmishes stemming from the conflict in Gaza, aiming to protect civilians in border areas recurring drone attacks from Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, recognized as a significant military and political entity in Lebanon, is labeled a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel and the United States.
The IDF disclosed that overnight strikes aimed at 200 Hezbollah “terrorist targets,” resulting in further losses among Hezbollah combatants in Bint Jbeil. Later statements confirmed the destruction of structures housing key Hezbollah commanders during the operations.
Hezbollah responded by claiming to have repelled attempts by Israeli commandos to advance into border villages and continued launching rockets into Israeli territory.
The IDF reported that approximately 230 projectiles were fired into Israeli areas during the day, most of which were intercepted, with no immediate casualties reported.
The Israeli northern border communities have now been declared a closed military zone amid escalating tensions.
In personal accounts, residents near the Israeli border described daily disruptions from incoming attacks, raising fears of increasing violence. One resident expressed anxiety over ongoing threats while having to weigh the safety of their military-serving children amidst the conflict.
This volatile situation continues to develop as both sides brace for further conflicts in the region.
