A significant Israeli airstrike in central Beirut has reportedly killed at least 15 people, according to Lebanese officials, as tensions escalate in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah.
The strike occurred without warning around 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Saturday and was aimed at assassinating a high-ranking Hezbollah official, as reported by Israeli media.
The blast was felt and heard throughout the city, demolishing at least one eight-story residential building in the densely populated Basta district.
Lebanon's National News Agency indicated that a so-called bunker buster bomb was used, a weapon previously deployed by Israel to target senior Hezbollah leaders, including former chief Hassan Nasrallah.
Throughout the day, emergency workers utilized heavy machinery to clear rubble and recover bodies.
The Lebanese health ministry reports that over 60 people were injured, with the death toll expected to rise as DNA tests are conducted on recovered body parts.
“It was a horrific explosion. My wife, children, and I were surrounded by shattered windows and glass. My home now feels like a battlefield,” said 55-year-old Ali Nassar, a resident of a nearby building.
“Is it really necessary to destroy buildings where people are sleeping just to target one individual? Shouldn't we be treated as humans?” he questioned.
According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the strike aimed to kill Mohammed Haydar, a senior Hezbollah official. Hezbollah MP Amin Sherri stated that none of the group's leaders were in the targeted building, and Haydar's status remains uncertain.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet commented.
On the same day, the IDF also launched additional airstrikes in Dahieh, southern Beirut, targeting buildings associated with Hezbollah. Israeli attacks have occurred in the south as ground operations advance, as well as in the east, where airstrikes in Baalbek resulted in at least 15 deaths, including four children, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Over the past two weeks, Israel has escalated its campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia and political movement, amidst ongoing international efforts for a ceasefire. This aggressive approach seems aimed at pressuring the group to agree to a deal.
This surge in attacks coincides with renewed negotiations aimed at resolving over a year of conflict, with some initial progress reported. This week, Amos Hochstein, who leads the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts, engaged in talks in both Lebanon and Israel to further a U.S.-drafted agreement.
Lebanese authorities have emphasized that any resolution should align with the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. This resolution mandates the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and weapons from the region between the Blue Line—Lebanon's unofficial border with Israel—and the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border.
Israel contends that these terms have never been fully adhered to, while Lebanon asserts that Israeli violations have included military flights over its territory.
According to a Western diplomat who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire that would require the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the removal of Hezbollah from the area. Following this, the Lebanese military would increase its presence there with thousands of additional troops.
However, the diplomat noted that disagreements remain over certain aspects, including the timeline for the Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of an international monitoring mechanism for the agreement.
Both Hezbollah and Iran have expressed interest in a deal, according to a senior Lebanese source. After initially regrouping, Hezbollah has continued to conduct daily attacks on Israel, albeit with reduced intensity, while also confronting invading Israeli soldiers.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Naim Qassem stated that the group had received the U.S. proposal, outlined its concerns, and was allowing discussions to proceed to see if they yield any results. He emphasized that the conditions for a deal include a complete cessation of hostilities and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, warning that Hezbollah is prepared for a prolonged conflict.
Israel’s stated objective in its campaign against Hezbollah is to facilitate the return of approximately 60,000 residents who have been displaced from communities in northern Israel due to the group's attacks.
In Lebanon, the conflict has resulted in over 3,500 deaths and displaced more than one million people, according to Lebanese authorities.
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