An Israeli airstrike hit 20 sites in southern Lebanon and central Beirut. The strikes preceded talks on a US-mediated ceasefire with Hezbollah, with optimism expressed by officials ahead of a vote by Israel’s security cabinet.
A massive explosion sent a thick plume of white smoke billowing over Tyre province in southern Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon.
This event followed airstrikes by Israeli warplanes, which hit 20 different sites within a span of two minutes, including areas in central Beirut, shortly after an evacuation alert was issued.
These attacks occurred just hours ahead of a potential ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, with officials from Israel, the US, Lebanon, and the international community expressing optimism about the situation.
Israel’s security cabinet even scheduled a vote to discuss the acceptance of a US-mediated ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the seven buildings hit in the airstrikes were allegedly associated with Hezbollah, supposedly utilized for financial management and storage.
The strikes resulted in the death of three individuals and injuries to 26 others in central Beirut, where local residents claimed the buildings were residential.
In response, Hezbollah started launching attacks into northern Israel, purportedly to show solidarity with the Palestinians, just a day after Hamas executed its attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the Gaza invasion.
Since then, both sides have been engaged in a continuous exchange of fire.
Situation in Lebanon continues to intensify
In early September, Israel intensified its bombardment campaign and deployed troops into Lebanon, promising to halt Hezbollah’s attacks.
According to Lebanese health officials, over 3,760 individuals, many of whom were civilians, have died from Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past year.
The ongoing bombardment has displaced 1.2 million people from their residences. Israel claims to have eliminated more than 2,000 members of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s actions have forced around 50,000 Israelis to evacuate their homes in the northern regions, with its rockets reaching as far south as Tel Aviv.
At least 75 individuals have lost their lives, with more than half being civilians. Additionally, over 50 Israeli soldiers have died in ground operations in Lebanon.
