An Israeli airstrike targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut early Wednesday morning, following recent US concerns regarding the extent of Israel’s attacks on the city, which have resulted in increasing civilian casualties and fears of a wider conflict involving Iran. Witnesses reported a significant explosion just hours after the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for the area.
This strike is part of a broader Israeli campaign aimed at weakening Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group involved in cross-border hostilities with Israel for over a year. The Israeli military initiated operations in southern Lebanon two weeks ago to push Hezbollah forces north.
The United Nations has indicated that over a quarter of Lebanon’s population has been impacted by evacuation orders. The southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, had not experienced an attack in several days prior to this incident.
On October 10, Israeli strikes in central Beirut resulted in 22 fatalities and extensive destruction. Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa was reportedly the intended target of that strike but survived.
The United States has expressed concern about the intensity of Israel’s bombing campaign in Beirut. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that while the US supports some Israeli military actions, it opposes the scope and nature of recent attacks, particularly in densely populated areas. This unease stems from the rising civilian death toll, with over 2,350 fatalities and more than 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon, according to health ministry figures.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected such proposals, notably during discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has advocated for diplomatic solutions in Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Naim Qassem, pledged to continue retaliatory attacks on Israel while also calling for a ceasefire.
Following the death of Hezbollah’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli attack in September, the group has intensified its activities. Qassem warned that Hezbollah would increase operations against Israeli targets unless the attacks ceased.
The hostilities in Lebanon have escalated since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas during the Gaza war that began in October 2023. Hezbollah has conducted numerous rocket attacks, prompting Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, including in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
This ongoing conflict has led to significant civilian casualties, especially in Lebanon. Despite the Israeli military’s claims of targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, civilian areas have been heavily impacted.
In one recent incident, at least 15 people were killed in an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese village of Qana, a site of previous massacres during past Israeli-Lebanese conflicts.
As the conflict intensifies, international diplomatic efforts have stalled, with both sides continuing to exchange fire across the border. The potential for further escalation remains high, as Hezbollah threatens additional strikes and Israel aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
