Beirut Hit by Devastating Airstrike
A massive Israeli airstrike on central Beirut killed at least 20 people and injured over 60, with rescuers continuing to search for survivors under the rubble. The strike, carried out early Saturday at approximately 4:00 AM (02:00 GMT), targeted an eight-story residential building in the densely populated Basta district. Lebanese officials have condemned the attack, describing it as one of the most severe in recent weeks of escalating conflict.
According to Israeli media, the strike aimed to assassinate Mohammed Haydar, a senior Hezbollah official. However, Hezbollah MP Amin Sherri stated that no leaders of the group were present in the building, and Haydar’s fate remains unclear. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that a “bunker buster” bomb was used, a type of weapon previously deployed against senior Hezbollah figures.
“It was a horrible explosion. All the windows and glass shattered over me, my wife, and my children,” said Ali Nassar, a resident whose home was severely damaged. “Is it necessary to kill everyone for one person? Or are we not human?”
Intensified Strikes Across Lebanon and Gaza
The Beirut strike is part of Israel’s broader campaign against Hezbollah, which includes airstrikes on Dahieh, a southern Beirut neighborhood known as a Hezbollah stronghold. Eastern Lebanon has also faced attacks, with a strike in Baalbek killing 15 people, including four children, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli forces have issued evacuation orders for Gaza City’s Shujayea neighborhood, prompting hundreds of Palestinians to flee. The Gaza death toll since October 7, 2023, has climbed to 44,176, with over 104,473 injured. On Saturday alone, 38 Palestinians were killed, with significant casualties in Shujayea.
Efforts for Ceasefire Amid Mounting Casualties
In Lebanon, the ongoing hostilities have claimed at least 3,670 lives and injured over 15,400 people. More than one million individuals have been displaced, adding to the humanitarian crisis. The escalation coincides with renewed international efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. U.S. diplomat Amos Hochstein has led talks to broker a deal, reportedly involving a 60-day ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the removal of Hezbollah forces from areas near the Blue Line.
However, key disagreements persist, including the timeline for Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of an international mechanism to monitor the agreement. Lebanese authorities insist that any resolution must adhere to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Resolution 1701 calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal from areas near Israel’s border and the deployment of the Lebanese military.
Hezbollah’s Secretary General Naim Qassem acknowledged the receipt of a U.S. proposal and clarified the group’s reservations. He emphasized Hezbollah’s demand for the cessation of hostilities and Lebanon’s sovereignty, warning that the group is prepared for prolonged conflict if necessary.
Humanitarian Impact and Broader Implications
The conflict’s humanitarian toll continues to rise. In Gaza, relentless airstrikes have devastated infrastructure, residential areas, and hospitals, leaving thousands displaced. In Lebanon, over a million people have fled their homes, straining an already fragile economy and infrastructure.
Israel justifies its military campaign as essential to securing its northern border and enabling the return of approximately 60,000 displaced Israeli residents. However, the intensified violence has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for a sustainable peace agreement addressing the conflict’s root causes.
As negotiations persist, the international community faces pressure to mediate effectively and provide humanitarian assistance to affected populations. The coming days will test the feasibility of a ceasefire and the prospects for lasting peace in the region.