Israeli warplanes conducted over 30 airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight, marking the most intense attacks since Israel escalated its military campaign against Lebanon on September 23.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported on Sunday that the airstrikes caused widespread damage across various locations in the southern suburbs of Beirut, filling the area with thick smoke. The strikes were heard throughout the capital. The Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah was storing weapons and operating from residential buildings.
Although Hezbollah has not yet responded to these accusations, the group has previously denied similar claims from Israel.
The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after an attack by Hamas last October. The war has claimed over 41,800 lives, the majority being women and children, according to reports.
Lebanese authorities have reported that at least 2,036 people have been killed, over 9,500 injured, and 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon since the fighting began.
There are growing concerns from the international community that Israeli strikes in Lebanon could further escalate the conflict in Gaza into a broader regional war.
According to the report, the airstrikes hit several areas, including a gas station near Airport Road, a building on Barjaoui Street in Ghobeiry, and locations in Safir and Burj al-Barajneh.
In a statement, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the Israeli Air Force had targeted “weapons and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Beirut,” and that the strikes were based on “precise intelligence” aimed at Hezbollah’s arms depots and military sites.
