The recent strikes are among the most significant in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah.
New Delhi: Israeli airstrikes hit southern Beirut late Saturday night, with Lebanese media reporting particularly violent attacks until Sunday morning.
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Explosions were heard in southern Beirut for more than two hours, news agency AFP reported, with flames and smoke rising from the targeted sites. In one particularly severe attack, thick smoke filled the air, and flames lit up the night sky for nearly an hour. Residents fled the scene in panic, some on foot, others on motorcycles, as explosions reverberated in the background.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, claiming on their Telegram channel that they were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The attacks came after the Israeli army’s earlier call for residents of southern Beirut to evacuate, warning civilians to move at least 500 meters away from designated buildings.
This latest escalation comes amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. The two sides have exchanged fire almost daily over the past year following the outbreak of the Gaza war.
Since September 23, Israel has launched a series of airstrikes in Lebanon, killing more than 1,110 people. A highly placed Hezbollah source told news agency AFP that Israeli airstrikes earlier this week had led to the loss of contact with Hashem Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah leader who was expected to become Nasrallah’s successor.
Although Hezbollah has not officially confirmed the loss of contact, two sources close to the organization said efforts to reach Safieddin were being hampered by continued Israeli bombing. Safieddin was reportedly with Hezbollah intelligence chief Haj Murtada at the time of the attack.
The recent attacks are the most significant in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, with 11 consecutive airstrikes being carried out on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut on Friday morning. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut during these attacks.
In addition to the escalating conflict in Lebanon, Israel is preparing for further tensions related to the anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7. The Israeli military has increased forces and raised vigilance in anticipation of possible retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah or its Iranian backers. Iran has already launched missile attacks in response to Israeli operations.
Since Monday, Israeli forces have reportedly killed 440 Hezbollah fighters in ground and air operations in Lebanon. The strikes are aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah rocket fire, which has targeted northern Israel for nearly a year, displacing thousands of Israeli civilians.
The United States has evacuated 600 civilians from Lebanon since the escalation began, with 145 passengers leaving on flights organized by the US State Department on Saturday alone.
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