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Deadly Israeli Airstrikes Shake Central Beirut Amid Ongoing Conflict

BEIRUT (AP) — Rescuers combed through the debris of a collapsed structure in central Beirut early Friday after a series of devastating Israeli airstrikes struck the Lebanese capital, resulting in at least 22 fatalities and numerous injuries.

This assault marks one of the most severe attacks on central Beirut since the onset of the conflict over a year ago, targeting two residential buildings in areas that have become crowded with individuals displaced by ongoing Israeli bombardments across Lebanon.

According to reports from Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television and various Israeli media outlets, the strikes were intended to eliminate Wafiq Safa, a senior security figure within the group. Al-Manar indicated that Safa was not present in the targeted buildings at the time. The Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding these allegations.

The airstrikes followed an escalation in Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah, which included extensive aerial bombardments throughout Lebanon and ground incursions along the border. This surge in violence occurred on the same day as the Beirut attack, during which Israeli forces also opened fire on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, injuring two personnel from Indonesia, provoking widespread outcry.

In response to the crisis, Hezbollah has intensified its rocket attacks into more densely populated regions of Israel. While many of these strikes have caused significant disruption, most have fortunately not resulted in casualties. However, an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon tragically claimed the life of a Thai worker on a farm in northern Israel earlier on Friday.

Amid the wreckage in Beirut’s Burj Abi Haidar neighborhood, emergency workers and municipal employees excavated the remains of a three-story building destroyed in the attack. In a nearby apartment that sustained severe damage, Ahmad al-Khatib described the harrowing moments following the explosion. He and his family were at home when the blast occurred, injuring his wife, Marwa Hamdan, and their toddler, Ayla.

“Everything changed in an instant, and darkness enveloped us,” said al-Khatib, visibly shaken. He recounted the terrifying experience of digging his daughter out from beneath the debris of a collapsed wall while his wife remained unconscious, suffering a head injury. Marwa is currently being treated in the intensive care unit at a local hospital.

Another resident, Mohammed Tarhani, had sought refuge with his brother in the area after previously fleeing from southern Lebanon due to ongoing airstrikes. He recounted the fear he experienced when the explosion struck and he rushed to find his children, expressing despair over the uncertainty of where to seek safety.

Civil defense official Walid Hashash indicated that rescue operations were nearing conclusion, with no additional missing individuals reported, although a final death toll would be released once operations were complete.

Since the onset of new hostilities on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah began retaliatory rocket fire in favor of Hamas, more than 2,100 Lebanese individuals—comprising both combatants and civilians—have lost their lives to Israeli strikes, a troubling majority occurring in recent weeks. In retaliation, Israeli attacks have killed at least 29 civilians and 39 Israeli soldiers since late September as ground military actions have concentrated along a narrow border corridor.

Political tensions escalate as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Lebanese citizens that they would bear the consequences of Hezbollah’s actions, risking destruction akin to that witnessed in Gaza amidst the heightened hostilities. Concurrently, Israel has vowed retaliation against Iran for its involvement in the conflict, following Iran’s recent missile attack that targeted Israeli interests.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed American backing for Israel’s intensified operations against Hezbollah. He emphasized that Israel has a legitimate aim in ensuring the safety of its citizens displaced due to the ongoing violence along the border.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has begun relocating personnel amid the escalating conflict. The mission reported that Israeli tanks targeted one of its observation towers in southern Lebanon, causing damage and leading to necessary personnel adjustments. Although UNIFIL remains committed to its objectives, ongoing military actions have forced peacekeepers to alter their operational strategies and limit patrols in the area.

UNIFIL, established following Israel’s invasion in 1978, has grown to include over 10,000 peacekeepers tasked with monitoring compliance with U.N. resolutions. The organization continues to advocate for peace in a region fraught with military tension and civilian suffering.

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