- Israeli airstrike hits central Beirut: at least 5 dead, 8 injured
- Marks the first Israeli airstrike near the heart of Beirut
- Before the air raids, Lebanon reported 46 people killed and 85 wounded in Israeli bombings over the last 24 hours
- IDF confirms eight of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon
Israeli airstrike hits central Beirut: at least 5 dead, 8 injured
Lebanese officials have reported that an Israeli airstrike on a building in central Beirut has killed at least five people and wounded eight. The strike targeted a multi-storey building in Bachoura, which housed a health centre linked to Hezbollah. Israel’s military described the operation as a “precision” strike.
This marks the first Israeli airstrike near the heart of Beirut, just meters away from Lebanon’s parliament. Overnight, five additional strikes hit the southern suburb of Dahieh, a known Hezbollah stronghold.
The escalation follows the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announcement that eight of its soldiers were killed during ground operations in southern Lebanon. This is the first confirmed loss of IDF personnel since the start of the offensive against Hezbollah.
In response, the IDF has intensified its military campaign, deploying more infantry and armoured units to the Lebanese border. They are focused on dismantling what they call “terrorist infrastructure” in border villages.
During the latest round of airstrikes, three explosions were heard in Dahieh, with a fourth strike occurring closer to Beirut’s centre. Two more strikes followed in Dahieh after Israel warned residents in the area about targeting Hezbollah facilities.
Prior to the air raids, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 46 people had been killed and 85 wounded in Israeli bombings over the last 24 hours.
In addition, it was confirmed that a U.S. permanent resident from Michigan was among those killed in the recent Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.
