Israeli strike in Beirut/ airstrike on central Beirut/ Beirut airstrikes amid Hezbollah conflict/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ LEBANON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ An Israeli airstrike targeted an apartment building in central Beirut for the first time in nearly a year of conflict with Hezbollah. The strike came amid a surge in Israeli attacks across Lebanon, killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders. Despite the destruction, Hezbollah’s acting leader vowed to continue the fight. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians have been displaced by the violence, and U.S. officials continue to call for a cease-fire.
Israeli Airstrike Hits Central Beirut Amid Hezbollah Conflict: Quick Looks
- First Strike in a Year: Israel launched an airstrike on a central Beirut apartment for the first time in nearly a year of conflict.
- Hezbollah Leadership Killed: The airstrike follows a series of attacks that have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders.
- Civilian Toll: Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports over 1,030 deaths in less than two weeks of strikes, including women and children.
- U.S. Urges Cease-Fire: The Biden administration continues to push for a 21-day temporary cease-fire to prevent further escalation.
Israeli Airstrike Hits Central Beirut, Targets Apartment for 1st Time in a Year
Deep Look:
In a significant escalation of the nearly yearlong conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment building in central Beirut early Monday. The airstrike, the first to target central Beirut in almost a year, struck a multistory building, damaging one apartment but stopping short of causing the structure to collapse. The attack occurred in a busy, predominantly Sunni district, marking a notable departure from Israel’s usual focus on southern Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Strike Details and Aftermath
According to Lebanese officials and an Associated Press journalist on the scene, three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a leftist Palestinian faction, were killed in the strike. Although PFLP has not played a major role in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, its members were apparently targeted in this instance. Ambulances rushed to the scene, and a crowd gathered in the area as emergency responders worked to assist the wounded.
The strike in central Beirut follows a string of Israeli air raids that have primarily focused on Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut and other Hezbollah-controlled regions. These strikes culminated in the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last Friday, along with at least 20 other Hezbollah militants.
In response to these attacks, Hezbollah significantly ramped up its rocket fire on northern Israel, launching hundreds of rockets daily. Although most rockets were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems or landed in unpopulated areas, the escalation highlights Hezbollah’s determination to continue fighting despite the loss of its top leadership.
Hezbollah Leadership Losses and Ongoing Conflict
Hassan Nasrallah’s death, along with that of seven other high-ranking Hezbollah commanders, has dealt a serious blow to the group’s leadership structure. Among the slain commanders was Nabil Kaouk, a veteran Hezbollah member and former military commander during the 2006 Lebanon War. Kaouk’s death follows a series of Israeli airstrikes that have targeted key Hezbollah figures in an attempt to weaken the group’s capabilities.
Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah’s acting leader, Naim Kassem, has vowed that the group will continue fighting. Kassem, a founding member of Hezbollah and Nasrallah’s longtime deputy, said in a televised statement that the group’s military capabilities remain intact, and that they are prepared for a prolonged conflict. Kassem assured Hezbollah’s followers that the group’s leadership has already been replaced and that fighters are ready to face any future Israeli ground offensives.
Civilian Impact and Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on Lebanon’s civilian population. In the past two weeks alone, over 1,030 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. This figure includes 156 women and 87 children, with the number of casualties expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut have been particularly hard-hit, with entire families trapped under collapsed buildings, waiting for rescue teams to reach them.
Lebanese media has also reported dozens of Israeli airstrikes across other parts of the country, including in Sidon, where a building collapsed after being struck, killing several residents. The violence has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. The Lebanese government estimates that around 250,000 people are currently in shelters, with many more taking refuge with friends, relatives, or living on the streets.
International Reactions and U.S. Involvement
The international community has expressed growing concern over the escalating violence. President Joe Biden has reiterated the need to avoid an all-out regional war, stating on Sunday that he plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon. The Biden administration has continued to push for a 21-day temporary cease-fire, a proposal supported by France and other U.S. allies. However, Israel’s government has shown little interest in halting its military campaign, with Israeli officials vowing to continue until Hezbollah’s attacks cease and civilians can safely return to their homes.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has warned that Hezbollah will likely attempt to rebuild its leadership and military capabilities. White House national security spokesman John Kirby acknowledged that Nasrallah’s death marks a significant victory for Israel, but he cautioned that Hezbollah is expected to act quickly to fill the leadership vacuum. “It’s going to be tough, but they will try to recover,” Kirby said.
Israeli Strikes on Houthis in Yemen
Adding to the complexity of the conflict, Israeli forces also targeted Houthi positions in Yemen on Sunday. The airstrikes hit power plants and sea ports in the city of Hodeida in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport by the Houthis. Israeli officials accused the Iranian-backed rebel group of supporting Hezbollah and Hamas in their fight against Israel. The strikes on Hodeida killed four people and wounded dozens more, according to Houthi sources.
The Path Forward
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, the risk of a broader regional war looms large. Hezbollah’s rocket attacks show no signs of slowing, and Israel’s airstrikes continue to target key infrastructure and military positions across Lebanon. The international community remains hopeful that a cease-fire can be brokered, but with both sides entrenched in their positions, the prospects for peace appear slim.
For Lebanon, the humanitarian crisis grows by the day, as more civilians are killed, displaced, or injured in the crossfire. The loss of Hezbollah’s leadership presents a moment of uncertainty for the group, but it also raises questions about how the conflict will evolve in the coming weeks. The death of Nasrallah, long viewed as one of Hezbollah’s most powerful figures, has sent shockwaves throughout the region, and the aftermath of his death will shape the future of the conflict for years to come.
