Israeli jets launched an attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut early Wednesday, marking the first strike in almost a week, as reported by Lebanese state media. The casualty figures from the strike were not immediately clear.
The timing of the attack is significant as it comes just a day after caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati mentioned receiving assurances from the United States government regarding Israel potentially easing its strikes in the Lebanese capital. Israel has stated that its target in the southern suburbs is Hezbollah assets, noting the presence of the militant group in the area, which is also densely populated with residential and commercial establishments.
According to the Israeli military, the strike on Wednesday targeted a weapons warehouse located under a residential building. An evacuation warning was issued on the X platform before the attack, specifying the building in the Haret Hreik neighborhood. Witnesses reported three strikes in the area, with the first occurring shortly after the warning was issued.
The recent escalation follows Hezbollah’s firing of rockets into Israel on October 8 in support of the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. The situation has rapidly intensified, transforming from a year-long period of sporadic conflict into a full-scale war, leading to the displacement of approximately 1.2 million individuals in Lebanon.
In a separate incident, Israeli airstrikes conducted late Tuesday in the town of Qana in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to 15 others, as reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
The ongoing developments highlight the deepening crisis in the region and the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with implications for the broader Middle East security landscape. The cycle of violence underscores the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering.