Beirut, Lebanon – Israeli airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah emergency center in the southern suburbs of Beirut late last night, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, according to Lebanon’s health ministry and sources linked to the Islamist group. This is the second time in a week that Israeli forces have struck the Lebanese capital.
The attacks, which occurred just before midnight, hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, a known Hezbollah stronghold. A Hezbollah-affiliated source confirmed that three separate strikes were launched by the Israeli military, marking the third attack on the area in less than 24 hours.
The southern district of Beirut has long been associated with Hezbollah, and the repeated strikes have intensified concerns of escalating violence between Israel and the group.
As tensions rise along the Lebanon-Israel border, the southern suburbs, often referred to as “Dahiyeh,” have become a focal point in the Israeli military’s campaign against Hezbollah.
In one of the most recent incidents, an Israeli attack on the Bashura neighborhood claimed the lives of two individuals and injured 11 others, according to the Hezbollah-linked source.
Residents of the area reported hearing a powerful explosion that caused nearby buildings to tremble. AFP reporters on the ground witnessed ambulances rushing to the scene, transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals.
“The blast was so strong that windows shattered and walls shook. We thought another building might collapse,” said one local resident who witnessed the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
The Lebanese health ministry further disclosed that in the past 24 hours alone, Israeli airstrikes have killed 46 people and injured 85 across different regions of Lebanon.
The death toll includes both Hezbollah fighters and civilians, as the ongoing strikes have hit various Hezbollah-affiliated targets as well as residential areas.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating over the past few weeks, following a series of confrontations near the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has vowed to retaliate against Israeli airstrikes, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Israeli officials have defended their military actions, stating that the strikes are part of an effort to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities and prevent attacks on Israeli territory. The Israeli government has accused Hezbollah of using civilian areas as cover for its operations, placing the Lebanese population at risk.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urging the international community to intervene.
“These repeated airstrikes are a violation of our sovereignty and an attack on the Lebanese people,” Mikati said in a televised statement. “We call on the United Nations and regional powers to put an end to this aggression.”
The situation in Beirut remains tense as residents brace for potential further strikes. Many families in the southern suburbs have begun to evacuate their homes, fearing additional Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations on the ground have been working to provide aid to the injured and displaced.
As the conflict intensifies, there are growing concerns that the violence could spread beyond Lebanon, drawing in other regional powers and escalating into a larger confrontation.