Middle East Tensions Soar: Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut, Killing 20

Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted central Beirut, killing at least 20 people and wounding 66, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported. The attacks, marking the fourth strike in the Lebanese capital’s heart within a week, destroyed an eight-story residential building in the Rabiah neighborhood. The area, known for its tightly packed structures, saw significant devastation, with nearby buildings damaged and cars destroyed.

Hezbollah legislator Amin Shiri stated that no Hezbollah officials were present in the building, which was reduced to rubble. The strikes highlight the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has displaced 1.2 million people in Lebanon and killed over 3,500, according to official estimates.

 

Diplomatic Efforts and Stalemate

The attacks come as US envoy Amos Hochstein attempts to broker a cease-fire to end months of escalating violence. Key sticking points in negotiations include Israel’s demand for guarantees that Hezbollah’s weapons are removed from the border area and Lebanon’s insistence on preserving sovereignty. Proposals involve a two-month cease-fire, Israeli troop withdrawal, and UN peacekeeper patrols in southern Lebanon.

Both nations disagree on the composition of an international monitoring committee, with Lebanon opposing British participation and Israel rejecting French involvement. Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has dismissed any deal that doesn’t ensure a “comprehensive end to aggression.”

 

Gaza Faces Unrelenting Devastation

Meanwhile, northern Gaza endured heavy bombardment, with the Palestinian death toll exceeding 44,000 over the past 13 months, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. In Khan Younis, six people, including three children, were killed on Saturday. Reports of civilians trapped under rubble and critical shortages of food, water, and medicine underscore the humanitarian crisis.

 

Tensions Spill into Jordan

In Amman, Jordanian security forces killed a gunman who opened fire on police near the Israeli Embassy, injuring three officers. This incident highlights the growing regional volatility as the Israel-Hamas war intensifies.

The ongoing violence continues to devastate communities across the Middle East, with diplomatic solutions remaining elusive.