An Israeli airstrike has caused significant damage in central Beirut, Lebanon, as tensions escalate between Israel and Hamas. The strike, which levelled an apartment building, is part of Israel’s ongoing offensive across Lebanon, resulting in casualties and destruction.
The targeted airstrike, reportedly the first in central Beirut in almost a year of conflict, struck a multistory residential building. Videos from the scene showed ambulances and a gathered crowd near the severely affected building in a predominantly Sunni district known for its bustling shops and thoroughfare.
Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon have been intense, with Hezbollah, a prominent military group in the region, suffering substantial losses, including the reported killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed at least 105 fatalities from Sunday’s airstrikes, with strikes in various locations across the country causing devastation and civilian casualties.
In a separate incident, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, stated that one of its commanders, Fatah Sharif, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Al-Buss refugee camp in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Tragically, Sharif’s family members, including his wife and children, also lost their lives in the attack. Hamas reported that Sharif served as a commander in Lebanon and was part of the group’s leadership outside the Palestinian territories.
The Israel-Hamas conflict, ongoing since October 7, has seen a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas operatives in Lebanon, deepening the hostilities between the two sides. The situation remains fluid, with both Israel and Hamas trading accusations and military actions in an increasingly volatile region.