Escalating Tensions: Israeli Airstrikes and Hezbollah Conflict Intensify in Lebanon

Israel‘s military has conducted an air attack on central Beirut, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals, following losses incurred in battles with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The attack occurred overnight, targeting the residential district of Bashoura, located in proximity to Lebanon’s parliament. Lebanese health officials reported that an additional 14 people sustained injuries, with four currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

According to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV, the targeted high-rise building was associated with the armed group’s health unit. The Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Authority confirmed that seven of its personnel, including two medics, perished in the attack.

Al Jazeera‘s Laura Khan, reporting from Beirut, described the explosion’s sound as “reverberating around the buildings and shocking everyone nearby.” Missiles also struck Dahiyeh, a densely populated residential area and a Hezbollah stronghold where the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was reportedly killed last week.

In a separate incident, the Lebanese Red Cross stated that an Israeli attack injured four paramedics and killed a Lebanese soldier as they were evacuating injured persons from southern Lebanon. The convoy, near Taybeh village and escorted by Lebanese troops, was targeted despite coordinating with United Nations peacekeepers. The Israeli military has not commented on this incident.

On Thursday, the Israeli military announced it had killed 15 Hezbollah fighters in an airstrike targeting a municipal building in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil. The announcement followed the death of eight Israeli soldiers in ground combat in southern Lebanon, amid a wider military thrust into Lebanon.

Hezbollah claims to have forced Israeli troops to retreat from several border locations, with media chief Mohammad Afif describing the confrontations as merely the “first round.” Afif stated that Hezbollah is well-equipped to oppose Israeli forces.

Reporting from Hasbaiyya, southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan suggested Israel has shifted strategy in response to its losses. “It’s reverted to this aerial bombing campaign,” Khan remarked, indicating active exchanges near Nabatieh town.

Israel has announced its military objectives are focused on destroying tunnels and infrastructure along the border, with no immediate plans to expand operations towards major cities like Beirut. Nevertheless, evacuation orders for about two dozen southern border towns have been issued, advising residents to relocate north.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee reiterated, “IDF raids are continuing,” while urging evacuated residents against returning.

Meanwhile, regional tensions have been exacerbated as Hezbollah and other Iranian allies, including Yemen’s Houthis and armed factions in Iraq, undertake actions in support of Hamas amid its conflict with Israel in Gaza. On Thursday, the Houthis claimed drone attacks on Israel’s commercial hub, Tel Aviv, asserting the operation met its objectives without detection.

Israel acknowledged intercepting an aerial target over central Israel, while the situation remains volatile across the region. Sources: Al Jazeera and news agencies