At least six people were killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes that hit central Beirut, Lebanese officials confirmed on Thursday. The strikes targeted a building near the Lebanese parliament, marking a rare attack in the heart of the city.
Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut known as a stronghold of Hezbollah, also came under fire. Hezbollah is a militant group and political party backed by Iran, often engaged in conflict with Israel.
The Israeli military warned on Thursday morning that it would continue its aerial assault in the south of Lebanon, where tensions have been escalating. Earlier this week, Israel launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon, and yesterday, it announced the deaths of eight Israeli soldiers during combat operations inside Lebanese territory.
As the conflict intensifies, casualties on both sides are mounting, further fueling concerns of a wider regional conflict. Lebanese authorities have condemned the strikes, warning of the severe humanitarian toll. Meanwhile, Israel maintains its strikes are targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in retaliation for ongoing rocket fire into its territory.
