Israeli Airstrikes On Central Beirut Kill 20 Amid Calls For Ceasefire
The strikes mark the fourth attack on the Lebanese capital’s central district in less than a week.
Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut Saturday left at least 20 people dead and 66 injured, Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed, as intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate.
The strikes mark the fourth attack on the Lebanese capital’s central district in less than a week.
The strikes, which occurred without warning, have intensified concerns over civilian safety in one of the region’s most densely populated areas.
However, the death toll in Lebanon has now surpassed 3,500, with over 1.2 million people displaced — nearly a quarter of the nation’s population, according to Lebanese officials.
On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians, mainly due to bombardment in the country’s northern regions.
The violence comes as U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein conducts urgent diplomatic efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and end months of clashes that have spiraled into open warfare.
Meanwhile, despite these efforts, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with heavy casualties and a growing humanitarian crisis dominating the region.
“This indiscriminate targeting of civilians is a clear violation of international law,” said a Lebanese government spokesperson, condemning the attacks.
The Israeli military, however, defended its actions as part of ongoing operations to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Israeli airstrikes early Saturday levelled an eight-story building in central Beirut, according to the Associated Press.
Hezbollah legislator Amin Shiri stated that no officials from the group were inside at the time. The blast stripped facades off nearby buildings and crushed parked vehicles.
“The area is residential, with closely packed buildings and narrow streets, making the situation challenging,” said Walid Al-Hashash, a first responder with the Lebanese Civil Defense.
Israel’s military declined to comment on casualties.
Separately, a drone strike killed two and injured three in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre, as reported by the Lebanese state-run National News Agency.
Mohammed Bikai, spokesperson for the Fatah Palestinian faction in Tyre, said the deceased were Palestinian refugees from al-Rashidieh camp who had been fishing.
Despite Israel’s warning last month to avoid the southern coast, Bikai said, “You can’t tell someone who needs to eat that you can’t fish.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported airstrikes killed eight people, including four children, in Shmustar, five others in Roumin, and another five in Budai.
Diplomatic officials outlined contentious points in Israel-Lebanon ceasefire negotiations.
The proposed deal includes a two-month ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the deployment of Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers to patrol the border. An international committee would monitor compliance, but disagreements persist.
