Israeli airstrikes/ Beirut suburbs bombing/ Hezbollah leader killed/ Lebanon-Syria border crossing hit/ Middle East conflict escalation/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ J. mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli airstrikes rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs and struck a key Lebanon-Syria border crossing, halting mass evacuations from war-torn Lebanon. The strikes escalated ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, killing a top Hezbollah official, Mohammed Rashid Skafi. Israel’s ground offensive continues in southern Lebanon amid growing fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
Israeli Airstrikes Target Beirut and Key Border Crossing: Quick Looks
- Beirut Strikes: Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, causing widespread destruction and killing Hezbollah’s communications leader, Mohammed Rashid Skafi.
- Border Disruption: A critical crossing between Lebanon and Syria, the Masnaa crossing, was hit, disrupting the main route for thousands of evacuees fleeing Israeli bombardments.
- Iranian Response: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, praised Iran’s recent missile strike on Israel and signaled readiness for further escalation if necessary.
- Escalation in Lebanon: Israeli forces have been battling Hezbollah along the Lebanon border after launching a ground offensive, while continuing airstrikes have killed many civilians.
- Regional Impact: The strikes come amid heightened fears of a wider Middle Eastern conflict, as Hezbollah and Iran remain heavily involved in the escalating war.
Israel Cuts Off Major Lebanon-Syria Crossing in Escalating War
Deep Look
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah intensified as Israeli forces launched a series of devastating airstrikes targeting southern Beirut suburbs and a critical Lebanon-Syria border crossing. In the early hours of Friday, powerful explosions rocked the suburbs of the Lebanese capital, sending massive plumes of smoke into the night sky and shaking buildings miles away. The Lebanese National News Agency reported over 10 consecutive strikes in the Hezbollah-dominated area, though the extent of casualties remains unclear.
Amid these strikes, Israeli forces also hit the Masnaa border crossing, a major route between Lebanon and Syria, which has served as a lifeline for tens of thousands of people fleeing the ongoing violence. Footage captured by the Associated Press shows massive craters blocking the road, forcing people to abandon their vehicles and cross the border on foot with their belongings.
The Israeli military confirmed that one of the key targets of their strike in Beirut was Mohammed Rashid Skafi, the head of Hezbollah’s communications division, who was closely linked to senior Hezbollah figures. Skafi had been a significant figure in the militant group since 2000, according to Israeli officials.
The situation on the Lebanon-Syria border continues to deteriorate. The Masnaa crossing, a vital passageway for those escaping Lebanon’s escalating violence, has seen over 330,000 people cross into Syria in recent weeks, according to Lebanese General Security figures. Iran-backed Hezbollah operates on both sides of this border, complicating Israel’s efforts to curb the group’s influence.
These new waves of attacks come just days after Israeli forces launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon. Israeli troops have been engaged in heavy fighting with Hezbollah militants, targeting key strongholds and seeking to push back the group’s influence along the border.
The escalating conflict has caught the attention of regional powers. On Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut to discuss the situation with Lebanese officials. Iran, a longtime backer of Hezbollah, has played a significant role in supplying arms and financial support to the group. Just days earlier, Iran fired over 180 missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian-backed forces in Lebanon and Gaza.
Speaking in Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed the missile attacks, praising Iran’s military efforts in defense of Hezbollah and warning that further attacks could follow. Addressing a large crowd during Friday prayers, Khamenei stated that Iran was prepared for continued conflict, signaling a broader regional escalation.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, the conflict has forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes. Israel issued evacuation orders for dozens of villages located north of a U.N.-established buffer zone as part of their ground offensive. The ongoing violence has claimed nearly 2,000 lives in Lebanon since late September, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Across the border, Israel remains locked in a fierce battle with Hamas in Gaza, following the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack that saw Hamas militants kill 1,200 Israelis and take hundreds of hostages. The Israeli response has been relentless, with airstrikes and ground incursions continuing in Gaza, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe that has claimed the lives of more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces carried out additional strikes in the militant stronghold of Tulkarem, killing 18 people in a refugee camp, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported. Violence in the West Bank has surged since the broader Israel-Hamas conflict reignited in October 2023, with northern cities bearing the brunt of the escalations.
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah rages on, the risk of a larger regional war looms. With Iran’s continued involvement and mounting civilian casualties on both sides, the situation remains volatile, threatening to destabilize the broader Middle East.
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