Israeli Air Strikes on Beirut Kill 22, Targeting Hezbollah Figure

Israel launched air strikes on central Beirut on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of 22 individuals and injuring 117 others, according to Lebanon's health ministry. This marked the third air attack on the Lebanese capital in recent times, as part of an intensified Israeli military campaign.

Lebanon‘s health ministry confirmed the casualties in a statement and identified the strikes as targeting a “Hezbollah figure,” but did not provide detailed information. The attack was accompanied by multiple explosions reported by journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP) on-site. Footage broadcast by AFP depicted smoke rising between buildings in the densely populated area.

The Israeli military has not released an official comment regarding the specific target of the raid. However, sources suggest that the airstrikes predominantly focus on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.

The same day, tensions were exacerbated by accusations from the United Nations peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, claiming that Israeli forces had repeatedly fired upon its positions in southern Lebanon. The force reported that two Indonesian soldiers, referred to as Blue Helmets, were injured. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto criticized these actions, categorizing them as “hostile acts” potentially constituting war crimes. Spain also labeled this conduct as a severe breach of international law.

Amid these escalating military actions, the United States called upon Israel to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers. Washington emphasized the importance of differentiating between Hezbollah targets and the UN’s positions.

Since September 23, Israeli forces have carried out multiple operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with the conflict affecting over 1,200 fatalities and leading to the displacement of over a million people, based on AFP tallies and health ministry reports.

Additionally, Israeli military operations have spread to the Gaza Strip, where conflict with Hamas persists. An Israeli strike in Gaza on a building previously used as a school resulted in 28 deaths and further injuries, Israel claims combatants were stationed there, a charge Hamas denies.

During this period, UN entities accused Israel of intentionally targeting health facilities in Gaza, leading to multiple casualties among medical personnel, which Israel refutes.

Amid intensifying hostilities, concerns about a broader regional conflict continue, especially given Iran’s backing of both Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant asserted plans for a “surprising” strike against Iranian targets, following a retaliatory missile attack from Iran.