A wave of Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday night targeted Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the life of at least one person while injuring five others. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed the casualties, highlighting the severity of the strikes.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) described the Israeli airstrikes as the “most violent” in Beirut’s southern suburb since the Iran-Hezbollah conflict erupted on September 23. NNA detailed that 17 Israeli raids were conducted on Dahiyeh late Wednesday, leading to the destruction of six buildings in the suburb of Laylaki. Four Israeli strikes hit a residential complex, resulting in a large fire, according to NNA.
Adding to the damage, pro-Iran broadcaster Al-Mayadeen reported that an Israeli strike hit one of their offices in Beirut, forcing them to evacuate. Viral video footage of the strikes depicted a towering fireball engulfing buildings near the al-Laylaki area, accompanied by the sound of explosions.
Prior to the strikes, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a warning to civilians to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from Hezbollah-affiliated locations in the Burj al-Barajneh and Hadath areas of Dahiyeh. However, according to a report by AFP, no warning was given for the strike that hit the Jnah neighborhood in southern Beirut.
The Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel, where he urged the country to avoid escalating tensions with Iran. Israel is actively engaged in conflicts against the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has pledged retaliation against Iran for a ballistic missile attack that occurred in October.
The Israeli strikes also heavily impacted Tyre, a historic coastal city in southern Lebanon, leaving parts of its center in ruins and triggering a new exodus from the once vibrant city. A resident, Rana, who fled to the seafront after an evacuation warning from the Israeli military, described the scene to AFP as “the whole city shook.” Thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from several neighborhoods, some located just 500 meters from the city’s ancient ruins.
Bilal Kashmar, from Tyre’s disaster management unit, reported that seven buildings were flattened and over 400 apartments were damaged. Kashmar stated, “You could say that the entire city of Tyre is being evacuated.” UNESCO has expressed its concern about the conflict’s potential impact on Tyre’s World Heritage site and is closely monitoring the situation.
Following nearly a year of conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Israel shifted its focus to Lebanon last month, vowing to secure its northern border under fire from Hezbollah. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that Israel had intercepted intelligence indicating Hezbollah’s plan for an “attack even greater than on October 7,” involving vehicles, missiles, and underground tunnels. “They were planning an invasion,” Netanyahu told French broadcasters CNews and Europe 1.
Hezbollah confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddine, a cleric considered a potential successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a day after the Israeli army announced his demise. A report by AFP cited a Western diplomat as suggesting that several Western countries have proposed deploying international forces to Lebanon in the event of a ceasefire. While approximately 10,000 UN peacekeepers are already stationed in Lebanon’s south, the diplomat hinted at the possibility of a separate multinational troop deployment.