Israel Strikes Central Beirut, Resulting in Six Deaths – By Reuters

By Timour Azhari and Ari Rabinovitch

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM – In the early hours of Thursday, Israel launched airstrikes on central Beirut, resulting in at least six fatalities. This attack followed one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces on the Lebanese front amid ongoing clashes with the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah.

Israel stated that it executed a targeted airstrike in Beirut. Witnesses reported hearing a massive explosion, with security sources indicating the strike hit a building in the Bachoura neighborhood, a location close to the Lebanese parliament, marking one of the closest Israeli assaults to the country’s seat of government.

Lebanese health officials confirmed that at least six individuals were killed and seven others wounded. Photos circulating on local platforms, which could not be independently verified, depicted a heavily damaged building with flames engulfing its first floor.

Additionally, three missiles struck the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly killed recently. Loud explosions were heard in the area, which experienced multiple Israeli strikes throughout Wednesday.

This escalation occurred a day after Iran launched more than 180 missiles into Israel. Israeli forces reported that eight soldiers were killed during ground combat in southern Lebanon as operations intensified.

The Israeli military announced that regular infantry and armored units were deployed in ground operations in Lebanon. These developments raised fears of a broader conflict engulfing the oil-rich region amid Iran’s missile attack and Israel’s assurances of retaliation.

In response, Hezbollah stated its fighters had engaged Israeli forces within Lebanese territory. Reports indicated ongoing ground clashes for the first time since Israeli forces advanced over the border. Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed three Israeli Merkava tanks near the border town of Maroun El Ras.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a condolence message, emphasizing the fight against Iran’s influence, declaring, "We will stand together and, with God’s help, we will win together."

The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 46 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern and central Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

Iran claimed its missile barrage was a response to Israeli actions against its militant leaders, signaling potential future strikes depending on Israeli provocations. In this volatile environment, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israel to respond "proportionally" to the recent attacks and indicated disapproval of any Israeli moves against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Biden participated in discussions with leaders from the Group of Seven to coordinate responses, including possible sanctions against Tehran. G7 leaders expressed significant concern over the escalating crisis and reiterated that a diplomatic resolution remains essential to prevent a wider conflict.

Hezbollah claimed to have thwarted Israeli advances near several border towns and launched rocket attacks on Israeli military positions. The group’s media chief asserted that these confrontations represented only the beginning of their resistance and that they possess ample resources to challenge Israeli incursions.

Israel’s military maneuvering included an infusion of infantry and armored troops, suggesting an expansion of operations beyond initial commando raids. They claimed the objectives focused on dismantling tunnels and infrastructure near the border, with no plans to conduct a broader operation targeting the Lebanese capital or other major southern cities.

In light of the ongoing violence, evacuation orders were issued for around two dozen towns along the southern border, advising residents to relocate north of the Awali River.

With the conflict ongoing for nearly a year, more than 1,900 individuals have lost their lives and over 9,000 have been injured in Lebanon, with the majority of casualties occurring in recent weeks. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati reported that approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced due to Israeli strikes.

Malika Joumaa, a Sudanese national, shared her experience of seeking refuge in a church in Beirut after fleeing her home near Sidon in southern Lebanon with her family, expressing gratitude for the shelter provided.

Iran characterized the recent missile strikes as retaliation against Israeli actions regarding militant leaders, particularly following the killing of Nasrallah and other attacks on Hezbollah. While there were no reported casualties from the missile barrage in Israel, one fatality was recorded in the occupied West Bank.