**Rare Israeli Airstrike in Central Beirut Kills 7 as Troops Clashes with Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon**
An Israeli airstrike on an apartment in central Beirut resulted in the tragic deaths of seven Hezbollah-affiliated civilian first responders. This incident marks a rare strike in the heart of the capital. The strike occurred without any prior warning late on a Wednesday night, hitting an apartment close to key locations such as the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister’s office, and parliament.
Hezbollah’s civil defense unit reported that seven of its members lost their lives in the strike. The attack came in the midst of heightened tensions, with at least eight Israeli soldiers killed in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israel had announced a limited ground incursion earlier in the week, sparking increased conflict in the region.
Following the strike in Beirut, reports indicated a sulfur-like smell lingering in the air, while Lebanon’s National News Agency accused Israel of deploying phosphorous bombs during the attack, although evidence to support this claim was not provided. Human rights groups have previously accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells in southern Lebanon.
In parallel developments, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have launched two drones targeting Tel Aviv overnight. The Israeli military affirmed detecting the drones, shooting down one while the other fell into the Mediterranean Sea. This escalating violence in Lebanon adds another layer to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militants, originally sparked by an attack from Hamas almost a year prior.
Recent Israeli military actions in Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of top Hezbollah leaders. The situation has led to the displacement of thousands of individuals on both sides of the border. Israel has been issuing warnings, urging residents to evacuate from certain areas to ensure their safety as tensions continue to rise in the region.
The latest developments suggest that the Middle East is once again on the brink of broader conflict, with Iran’s recent missile attack drawing strong reactions from Israel and the United States. Both countries have expressed intentions to take severe actions in response to the escalating violence. The situation remains tense as military assets are mobilized to support Israel in the region.
This report was compiled by Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem, with contributions from Associated Press staff writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Zeina Karam in London.
For more detailed coverage of the conflict, visit https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
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*AP, Beirut*
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*This article was originally published on The Independent.*