Israeli Military Conducts Airstrikes in Hezbollah Areas of Southern Lebanon and Beirut
Early Wednesday, Israel’s military launched airstrikes in Hezbollah-controlled regions in southern Lebanon and around Beirut, marking the first attacks near the Lebanese capital in days. This escalation follows U.S. concerns regarding the extent of Israel’s bombardment in the region over the past few weeks.
The strikes in southern Lebanon targeted municipal buildings in Nabatieh, resulting in at least 16 fatalities, including the city’s mayor, and injuring over 50 people, according to Lebanese officials. These attacks aimed at a municipal council meeting, as stated by Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The Israeli military confirmed that the targets were Hezbollah positions in and around Nabatieh, which has seen an exodus of residents due to Israeli evacuation warnings.
Additionally, a separate strike on Qana in southern Lebanon killed three people and injured 50 more, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The Israeli military claimed this operation was aimed at a local Hezbollah commander and several militants.
In the southern outskirts of Beirut, two strikes targeted underground weapons storage facilities used by Hezbollah in the Haret Hreik neighborhood. This action followed a warning issued by an Israeli military spokesperson for residents to evacuate the area.
Haret Hreik, part of the Dahiya neighborhood heavily affected during the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, has been a focal point of Israel’s ongoing operations against Hezbollah leadership and arms.
On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed that the U.S. had conveyed concerns to Israel regarding the civilian impact of its bombing campaign in Beirut, particularly in the Dahiya region. Miller emphasized the U.S. opposition to the scale of the bombardment.
Additional Context:
- Gaza Aid: Following U.S. warnings about the need for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza, Israel reported allowing 50 aid trucks into northern Gaza. However, aid agencies indicate this is only a fraction of what is required amid Israel’s intensified military operations against Hamas.
- Health Concerns: Lebanon’s health ministry announced the first known case of cholera in the country this year, amidst concerns over potential outbreaks due to overcrowded displacement shelters and closed hospitals.
- Northern Lebanon: The U.N. human rights office has called for an investigation into an Israeli airstrike in Aitou, northern Lebanon, that killed at least 21 people, citing possible violations of international law.
- Medical Evacuations: The Israeli Supreme Court demanded an explanation from the government regarding the apparent lack of a systematic approach to evacuate sick Gazans needing treatment outside the conflict.
- Peacekeepers in Danger: The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, reported that Israeli troops fired at a UNIFIL watchtower, causing damage and raising international concern. The Israeli military stated that it does not target UNIFIL infrastructure and pledged to investigate any irregular incidents.
