In a significant escalation of conflict, Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted central Beirut, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals and injuring dozens more, according to reports from Lebanese officials.
The Lebanese Health Ministry has indicated that the death toll from these strikes may rise as emergency teams continue searching through the rubble for survivors. Among the victims, DNA testing is being employed to assist in identification, as 63 individuals were reported wounded. These strikes represent the fourth such incident in Beirut within a single week.
This surge in attacks coincides with the visit of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein to the region, in an effort to mediate a cease-fire between the warring sides of Israel and Hezbollah. Relations have continued to deteriorate over the past 13 months, with the recent months seeing a full-blown conflict. This violence has resulted in over 3,500 Lebanese casualties and more than 15,000 injuries, displacing approximately 1.2 million people, equivalent to a quarter of Lebanon’s population. Meanwhile, Israel reports approximately 90 military personnel and nearly 50 civilians killed in the northern regions and during confrontations within Lebanon.
The dawn strikes in Beirut led to the destruction of an eight-story building, leaving in its wake a significant crater. In another incident in the southern port city of Tyre, a drone strike killed one and injured another, both victims reportedly being young fishermen. The Associated Press documented these events with witnesses observing from a nearby hotel. The Israeli military did not provide prior warnings to residents of Beirut of the impending strikes. However, a later announcement on X advised residents of certain southern suburbs to evacuate due to the proximity of Hezbollah installations targeted by Israel.
Additional airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday claimed six lives — comprised of three children, two women, and one other person, according to reports from local journalists and Nasser Hospital staff in Khan Younis. The ongoing 13-month conflict between Israel and Hamas has recently witnessed a death toll surpassing 44,000, as reported by local health officials, with a significant portion of the fatalities consisting of women and children. The IDF has claimed to have eliminated over 17,000 militants within the Gaza Strip, but they have not provided specific evidence to substantiate these claims.
The onset of this conflict traces back to October 7, 2023, following an incursion by Hamas militants into southern Israel, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of 250 others. The ongoing hostilities have devastated the Gaza Strip, displacing the majority of its 2.3 million residents, and subjecting them to dire living conditions in makeshift camps.
At the international level, the recent decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has stirred mixed reactions. The warrants are based on accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. While Israel rejects these charges, the global response remains varied. Nations such as the U.K. express support for the ICC but have hesitated in committing to any decisive actions regarding Israeli officials. Meanwhile, Russia, China, and the United States do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, complicating the potential for enforcement of these warrants.
Amidst these developments, longstanding geopolitical relationships are being tested. Some analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s travel limitations due to ICC actions could foster closer ties with the incoming administration in the United States, led by President-elect Donald Trump, who has historically shown readiness to support Israel.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and its neighbors has resulted in significant loss and humanitarian crisis. As both sides continue their military operations, the possibility of a peaceful resolution remains uncertain, further exacerbating the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Source: WSVN
