Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s Ras el-Nabaa neighbourhood late Thursday, killing at least 22 people and injuring 117, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, as reported by Al Jazeera. The strikes, which occurred without prior warning at midnight, struck two residential buildings in the heart of the Lebanese capital. One of the buildings hit was in an area housing many displaced individuals.
Third Strike Beyond Dahiyeh
This is the third Israeli airstrike outside of Beirut’s southern suburb, Dahiyeh, since Israel expanded its military operations in late September. Earlier strikes hit Beirut’s Kola on September 29 and Bachoura on October 3, according to Al Jazeera. The strikes mark an escalation in the conflict, impacting more central areas of Beirut.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath
Eyewitnesses reported feeling the blast’s impact from nearly a mile away, with nearby buildings shaking and smoke rising from residential blocks. Residents were forced to flee their homes, gathering in open areas as emergency responders arrived at the scene. Videos shared by local news outlets, verified by Al Jazeera, revealed the devastation, with smoke and flames enveloping buildings in Ras el-Nabaa and al-Nuweiri.
Previous Strikes in Beirut
Earlier in the evening, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported on X that 11 people were killed and 48 others wounded in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut. This attack marks the third such strike on Beirut’s central areas in recent weeks.
Death Toll from Gaza Strikes
In addition to the Beirut attacks, Al Jazeera reported that 63 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Thursday. This escalation in violence continues to impact civilian areas across both Lebanon and Gaza, with heavy casualties reported.