Israeli jets conducted airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs early Wednesday, marking the first such attack in six days, as reported by Lebanese state media. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted Hezbollah assets in the area, known for its strong militant group presence amid bustling residential and commercial activity. Casualty figures from the attack were not immediately available.
The recent escalation follows Hezbollah’s acting leader Sheikh Naim Kassem’s declaration of increased attacks on Israel in response to an Israeli airstrike on a northern Lebanese apartment building that resulted in at least 22 fatalities. While Israel claims to have targeted Hezbollah, the United Nations called for an independent investigation into the incident.
Israel has intensified its campaign against Hezbollah in recent weeks after a period of frequent cross-border exchanges. The ongoing conflict between the two sides has seen significant civilian casualties, with over 42,000 Palestinians reportedly killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The violence has ravaged Gaza, displacing a vast majority of its 2.3 million population.
In a separate development, Israeli airstrikes in the southern town of Qana reportedly resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuries to 15 others, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Meanwhile, the European Union expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in ceasefire efforts, citing the detrimental impact of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict on Lebanon’s reform and financial aid prospects.
The EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire to facilitate reforms in Lebanon, including the appointment of a new president and the formation of a working government. Lenarčič emphasized the unacceptable loss of civilian lives in the conflict, urging for immediate steps to mitigate the humanitarian crisis.
As tensions continue to mount in the region, international calls for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions have amplified, underscoring the pressing need for dialogue and peace-building initiatives to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.