In the early hours of today, Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 55 people were killed, and 156 were injured within the last 24 hours due to Israeli attacks on various areas in Lebanon. The raids came after Israel issued urgent warnings to residents of certain buildings in the suburbs to evacuate immediately for their safety.
Multiple Airstrikes on Southern Beirut
The Israeli army carried out nine airstrikes in just two hours, targeting regions such as Hadath, Rwais, Choueifat, and Haret Hreik. One of the strikes in Haret Hreik followed shortly after the Israeli army warned residents of two buildings in the southern suburb and those within a 500-meter radius to evacuate. According to Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, these areas house dangerous Hezbollah facilities, urging civilians to leave immediately for their safety.
Key Hezbollah Leaders Targeted
In a statement on “X,” the Israeli army claimed that one airstrike killed Zulfikar Hannawi, the commander of Hezbollah’s Imam Hussein unit, which reportedly consists of fighters from multiple nationalities active against Israel. Another airstrike killed Mohammad Jafar Qasir, head of the unit responsible for transferring military equipment from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Wider Air Campaign in Lebanon
Israeli fighter jets also targeted various areas in the Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon, on Tuesday afternoon. The raids hit areas around Baalbek and several nearby towns, causing extensive material damage. The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes in the last 24 hours targeted towns and villages across southern Lebanon, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, and Mount Lebanon, resulting in 55 deaths and 156 injuries.
The Escalation Since October 2023
Since the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in October 2023, the conflict has claimed the lives of 1,873 people, according to a government report released on Tuesday. Additionally, over 240,000 people, most of them Syrians, have fled from Lebanon to Syria since September 23rd. The report indicated that among those who crossed, 176,080 were Syrian citizens, while 63,373 were Lebanese.
Hezbollah Responds with Missiles
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that four ballistic missiles launched from Lebanon landed off the coast of Netanya, north of Tel Aviv. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching Fadi 4 missiles at the Israeli intelligence base “Glilot” and Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv. Hezbollah emphasized that this was just the beginning of their retaliation.
Ground Operations Denied
Despite Israel’s announcement of launching a focused ground operation into Lebanon, Hezbollah’s media spokesperson, Mohammad Afif, denied that Israeli forces had entered Lebanese territory. He also denied claims that any ground clashes had taken place between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces. Afif affirmed that Hezbollah fighters were fully prepared for any confrontation with Israeli troops attempting to enter Lebanese soil.
Hezbollah also refuted Israeli claims that there were weapons or storage facilities in civilian buildings, including the Al-Sirat TV station, which Israel targeted on Monday in the southern suburbs.
Israel’s Ground Offensive
On Monday, the Israeli army announced the start of a concentrated ground operation inside Lebanese territory, marking the first such operation since 2006. Israeli forces from the 98th Division, including commando and paratrooper units, as well as the 7th Armored Brigade, were deployed for the offensive in southern Lebanon. However, according to an Israeli official cited by the Washington Post, a broader ground invasion into Lebanon is not currently planned.
