Beirut Air Strike Kills 20, Fuels Anger Amid Intensified Israeli Operations

Lebanese authorities report that a substantial Israeli air strike in central Beirut has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals. This incident marks the most recent assault on the capital during an intensified Israeli military operation targeting Hezbollah. Israeli media outlets indicated that the strike, which occurred without prior notification around 04:00 (02:00 GMT) on Saturday, aimed to eliminate a high-ranking Hezbollah official. The assault’s impact resonated throughout the city, leading to the destruction of at least one eight-story residential structure within the populous Basta district. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, a “bunker buster bomb” was deployed, a weapon type Israel has previously utilized to target prominent Hezbollah members, such as former leader Hassan Nasrallah. On Saturday, the casualty count increased from 15 to 20 as emergency personnel employed heavy equipment to clear debris and recover remains. The Lebanese health ministry stated that over 60 individuals sustained injuries, and anticipated a further increase in victim numbers pending DNA analysis of recovered human remains. Ali Nassar, aged 55, residing in an adjacent building, described the event: “It was a very horrible explosion. All the windows and glasses were over me, my wife and my children. My home now is a battlefield.” He further questioned, “Even if one person is hiding here…Should you destroy buildings where people are sleeping inside? Is it necessary to kill all the people for one person? Or we’re not humans? That’s what I’m asking.” Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the assault sought to eliminate Mohammed Haydar, a senior Hezbollah official. Hezbollah Member of Parliament Amin Sherri asserted that no leaders of the group were present in the targeted structure, and Haydar’s status was unknown. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) offered no statement. Additionally on Saturday, the IDF conducted additional air strikes in Dahieh, a southern Beirut area associated with Hezbollah, claiming the targeted buildings had connections to the organization. The Lebanese health ministry reported that Israeli offensives have also impacted the south, where an Israeli ground incursion is progressing, and the east, where aerial bombardments in Baalbek resulted in at least 15 fatalities, among them four children. Over the last fortnight, Israel has escalated its operations against Hezbollah, the Iran-supported militia and political entity. This intensification occurs amidst global endeavors for a ceasefire and seems to be a tactic designed to compel the group into accepting an agreement. This escalation coincides with renewed discussions aimed at resolving a conflict spanning over a year, which had shown preliminary indications of advancement. This week, Amos Hochstein, spearheading the Biden administration’s diplomatic initiatives, engaged in discussions in Lebanon and Israel to facilitate a US-proposed agreement. Lebanese authorities have maintained since the conflict intensified in late September that any resolution must adhere to the stipulations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This resolution mandates the removal of Hezbollah’s combatants and armaments from territories situated between the Blue Line—the unofficial border separating Lebanon and Israel—and the Litani River, approximately 30km (20 miles) from the Israeli frontier. Israel contends that these terms were never completely honored, whereas Lebanon asserts that Israeli transgressions involved military overflights of Lebanese airspace. A Western diplomat, speaking anonymously, indicated that the proposed plan encompasses a 60-day ceasefire, entailing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the elimination of Hezbollah’s presence from the region. Subsequently, the Lebanese military would augment its deployment there with thousands of additional soldiers. However, the diplomat noted that disagreements persisted regarding certain aspects, such as the schedule for an Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of an international body to oversee the accord. A high-ranking Lebanese source reported that both Hezbollah and Iran have expressed interest in an agreement. Following the initial impact, the group has restructured and persists in conducting daily assaults on Israel, albeit with reduced intensity, and engaging with invading Israeli troops. On Wednesday, Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s Secretary General, stated that the group had received the US proposal, articulated its objections, and was permitting negotiations to proceed to ascertain potential outcomes. He specified that the prerequisites for an accord included a full cessation of hostilities and the safeguarding of Lebanon’s sovereignty, cautioning that Hezbollah was prepared for an extended conflict. Israel’s declared objective in its conflict with Hezbollah is to facilitate the return of approximately 60,000 inhabitants displaced from northern Israeli communities due to the group’s assaults. Lebanese authorities indicate that since October 2023, over 3,670 individuals have died and at least 15,400 have been wounded in Lebanon, with more than one million displaced from their residences. Further reporting was contributed by Dearbail Jordan and Jaroslav Lukiv in London. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. 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