Casualties Rise in Beirut as Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah
At least five people have lost their lives, with eight others injured, following an Israeli bombing in a central neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon. This tragic incident is part of a broader series of airstrikes reportedly directed at the Lebanese Shiite militia group, Hezbollah. The Emergency Operations Center of the Lebanese Ministry of Health has confirmed these casualty figures, indicating that the bombing occurred in the Al Bashura neighborhood, shortly after three individuals died from their injuries. Earlier, the agency had reported the deaths of two others.
The injured victims have been rushed to hospitals for medical assistance. In response to the situation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged carrying out airstrikes in Beirut, stating that they would provide further information soon.
These fatalities add to a staggering toll of 46 deaths and 85 injuries reported across Lebanon due to Israeli military actions throughout the day. In recent weeks, Israeli operations have claimed more than a thousand lives, including that of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The ongoing violence has prompted over a million Lebanese and Syrians to flee their homes, many seeking refuge across the border in Syria.
In a related incident, Israeli defenses intercepted a 'suspicious aerial target' near Tel Aviv early this morning, prompting safety alerts in the nearby city of Bat Yam, urging residents to take cover. The IDF reported the interception of an aerial target off the Dan area’s coast in central Israel, stating that no alarm had been raised at that time, indicating no damage was done. However, the situation escalated with warnings for Bat Yam residents to seek shelter soon after.
On the heels of recent Iranian missile strikes targeting Israel, Hezbollah launched around 100 rockets into Israel, although these resulted in no injuries or fatalities. An Israeli military statement noted that 70 rocket launches were observed over a span of just two hours in the Western Galilee region, with projectiles landing in unoccupied zones. Additionally, two missiles crossing the Lebanese-Israeli border were detected, along with another thirty rockets targeting Western Galilee later in the day.
These attacks coincide with the presence of Israeli troops, who initiated a ground offensive in southern Lebanon earlier this week. The Israeli army has for the first time acknowledged engaging in close-quarters combat in the region, a departure from its previous focus on aerial bombardments. Hezbollah confirmed its involvement in confrontations against Israeli soldiers in southern towns, hinting at the possibility of casualties among the Israeli ranks.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Israeli armed forces announced the deployment of the 36th Division, comprising armored units and infantry brigades into Lebanon, to reinforce their offensive against Hezbollah. This continued military engagement reflects a conflict that has seen nearly 2000 deaths in the last fortnight alone, exacerbating a dire humanitarian situation in the region.
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