Israeli airstrikes/ Beirut hospital strike/ Hezbollah retaliation/ Gaza conflict/ Antony Blinken visit/ cease-fire efforts/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ LEBANON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, aimed at Hezbollah, destroyed buildings near Lebanon’s largest public hospital, killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens. The strikes came just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel, where cease-fire efforts remain in focus. Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets into central Israel, escalating the conflict as tensions continue to rise.
Israeli Airstrikes in Beirut Kill Over a Dozen Near Hospital: Quick Looks
- Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings near Beirut’s Rafik Hariri University Hospital, leaving at least 13 people dead and dozens injured.
- The strikes, aimed at Hezbollah targets, caused extensive damage to the hospital and nearby areas, as fears grow about Israeli targeting of medical facilities.
- Hezbollah fired rockets into central Israel hours later, escalating the conflict ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival.
- Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, criticized Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah-linked financial institutions, urging investigations into possible violations of international law.
Israeli Airstrikes Near Beirut Hospital Kill Over a Dozen Amid Escalating Conflict
Deep Look:
Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut late Monday killed more than a dozen people and caused severe damage near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Lebanon’s largest public hospital. The strikes, which leveled multiple buildings, left 13 dead and 57 others wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Among the injured, seven remain in critical condition.
Although the Israeli military stated that Hezbollah facilities were the target, the proximity of the strikes to a major hospital has sparked concerns over potential violations of international law. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as hospital staff struggled to care for both wounded civilians and existing patients, while also dealing with damage to the facility itself, including broken windows and destroyed solar panels.
The incident is part of the wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has escalated significantly since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023. Hezbollah has launched rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
Humanitarian Concerns and Growing International Criticism
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have voiced concern over Israel’s continued airstrikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Lebanon, particularly in civilian areas. Amnesty condemned recent Israeli attacks on al-Qard al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution with branches across Lebanon, calling for an investigation into whether the strikes violate international humanitarian law.
According to Amnesty, financial institutions like al-Qard al-Hassan, even if linked to militant groups, are classified as civilian infrastructure unless they are directly used for military purposes. Israel’s military issued warnings before targeting al-Qard al-Hassan, but the extent of the strikes has raised questions about their legality and proportionality.
Hezbollah Retaliates with Rocket Fire
In response to the Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into central Israel on Tuesday. Israeli authorities reported that most of the rockets were intercepted, but one landed in an open area, causing no injuries or damage. The escalation has further strained efforts to de-escalate the situation, as Israeli forces push ahead with a ground invasion in southern Lebanon and continue airstrikes on Hezbollah positions.
Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for a weekend drone attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea. Although Netanyahu and his wife were not home at the time, Hezbollah warned that more such attacks could be expected in the future.
U.S. Efforts to Restart Cease-Fire Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday in an effort to revive cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. is also working to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been displaced and the infrastructure has been devastated by Israeli airstrikes. Blinken’s visit is part of a broader diplomatic push, with meetings planned in multiple Arab countries, including Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
U.S. officials have emphasized the importance of increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, while also seeking to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Previous negotiations over a cease-fire stalled earlier this year, but Blinken hopes that renewed dialogue can lead to a de-escalation of violence and alleviate the suffering of civilians in the region.
Iran and Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, Iran has been increasing its diplomatic outreach in anticipation of an expected Israeli retaliatory strike. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have been meeting with leaders in the Gulf to ensure that their territory is not used for Israeli military operations. Although Gulf nations like Qatar and the UAE have not publicly confirmed such pledges, Iran is positioning itself as a regional power capable of countering Israeli aggression.
The situation remains volatile, with fears of a broader regional conflict growing as Israel continues its military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon. Hezbollah’s ongoing rocket attacks, combined with Israeli airstrikes, have deepened concerns about civilian casualties and the long-term implications of the conflict.
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