Israel strikes Beirut/ Beirut airstrikes news/ Lebanon conflict updates/ Gaza crisis escalation/ Israeli-Hezbollah war/ cease-fire negotiations 2024/ Beirut/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut early Saturday killed at least 15 people and injured 63. The strikes are part of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, while separate battles with Hamas in Gaza continue. Diplomats, including U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, are intensifying efforts to broker a cease-fire after more than 13 months of violence.
Beirut Bombardment Quick Looks
- Fatalities in Beirut: Israeli strikes in central Beirut killed 15 and injured 63.
- Targeted Areas: An eight-story building in central Beirut was destroyed.
- Regional Impact: Clashes have displaced 1.2 million in Lebanon, with 3,500 killed.
- Gaza Casualties: Strikes in Gaza killed at least 80 people in the past two days.
- Diplomatic Efforts: U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein is attempting to negotiate a cease-fire.
- ICC Arrest Warrants: The ICC issued war crime warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas leaders.
Israeli Strikes in Beirut Leave 11 Dead, Cease-Fire Urged
Deep Look
In a devastating escalation of hostilities, Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut early Saturday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 63, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes, which destroyed an eight-story residential building, are the fourth such attacks in the Lebanese capital in less than a week. Officials warn the death toll may climb as emergency crews continue to search for survivors under the rubble, with DNA testing required to identify some victims.
The strikes come amid intensifying efforts by diplomats, including U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, to negotiate a cease-fire after more than 13 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that has now erupted into full-scale war over the last two months. The conflict has devastated Lebanon, with more than 3,500 killed, over 15,000 injured, and 1.2 million people displaced. Israeli officials did not issue warnings before the Beirut strikes but later cautioned residents in southern suburbs to evacuate areas near Hezbollah facilities.
Tyre and Gaza Suffer Heavy Losses
Saturday also saw violence in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, where an Israeli drone strike killed two Palestinian refugees and injured three others. Those killed reportedly resided in the nearby al-Rashidieh camp, continuing fishing activities despite warnings from Israel to avoid the southern coast.
In parallel, the Israeli military has continued its relentless bombardment of Gaza. At least 80 people were killed in strikes on Gaza between Thursday and Friday, including those at two hospitals in the enclave’s north. Strikes on Saturday in Khan Younis killed six civilians, half of whom were children. Gaza’s health ministry reports that the death toll in the 13-month war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, with women and children making up over half of the fatalities.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached dire levels. Ninety percent of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced, many living in overcrowded camps with dwindling supplies of food and water. Two women were fatally shot while waiting for bread in central Gaza on Saturday, further underscoring the region’s growing desperation.
International Reactions and ICC Arrest Warrants
The strikes and mounting civilian casualties have prompted international outcry. This week, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court also issued a warrant for top Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who Israel claims to have killed.
Global reactions to the ICC rulings are mixed. While the U.K. reaffirmed its support for the court, it stopped short of committing to arresting Netanyahu if he visited. Meanwhile, the U.S. rejected the decision, calling it flawed and accusing the ICC of procedural errors.
As the conflict intensifies on multiple fronts, both Lebanon and Gaza remain engulfed in violence, with no clear end in sight. The destruction of homes, loss of lives, and displacement of millions have created a humanitarian crisis that continues to deepen despite diplomatic efforts.
