A wave of intense Israeli airstrikes shook south Beirut overnight, escalating the already volatile situation in the region. The strikes, some described as “very violent,” hit several locations in the area, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and triggering a panicked exodus among residents.
Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli warplanes launched four “very violent” strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, along with another strike in the Chweifat area. AFP correspondents on the ground confirmed hearing explosions for over two hours, making it one of the most intense barrages yet. Footage captured by AFP showed flames shooting skyward and thick smoke shrouding the targeted areas.
Fear gripped residents, as seen by the images of people fleeing on foot and motorbike, carrying belongings with them, as explosions echoed in the background. The situation was so alarming that even ambulances were seen rushing to the scene.
Despite the attacks, NNA reported that air traffic at Beirut’s only airport, located close to the targeted areas, was “ongoing despite the Israeli enemy’s aggression on the southern suburbs.” They confirmed that several Middle East Airlines planes had successfully landed.
In a statement released on its Telegram channel, the Israeli army confirmed the strikes, stating that they were “currently striking terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area of Beirut.” This statement followed an earlier announcement by the Israeli military urging residents to evacuate from south Beirut. Spokesperson Avichay Adraee, in a social media post, warned residents to evacuate from designated buildings and areas adjacent to them, moving at least 500 meters away for safety.
The recent escalation in violence has raised concerns about a potential widening conflict. This exchange of fire is just the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been escalating since the Gaza war. Since September 23, Israel has launched devastating airstrikes on targets in Lebanon, resulting in over 1,110 deaths and forcing more than a million people to flee their homes. Last week, Israel struck a major blow to Hezbollah, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an attack on the group’s south Beirut stronghold. The full extent of the damage from these latest strikes is still being assessed, but the impact on the already battered Lebanese population is undeniable.
