Early Wednesday morning, at least one Israeli airstrike struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to witnesses. This occurred just hours after the US expressed opposition to the extent of Israeli military actions in the city, amid a rising death toll and concerns about a broader regional escalation.
Reuters reporters heard two explosions and observed smoke rising from two distinct neighborhoods. This strike followed an Israeli evacuation order issued earlier in the morning, which referenced only one building. The Israeli military has conducted multiple strikes in the Hezbollah stronghold of southern Beirut in recent weeks, often without prior warnings, or with warnings for specific areas while attacking more broadly.
The Israeli military confirmed that it targeted an underground Hezbollah weapons stockpile in the Dahiyeh suburb, claiming measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including advance warnings to residents. According to the UN refugee agency, these evacuation orders now impact over a quarter of Lebanon, following Israeli incursions aimed at countering Hezbollah.
US State Department has voiced concerns about the recent bombings in Beirut. Spokesperson Matthew Miller indicated that Washington opposed the scale of the Israeli campaign, emphasizing that the US continues to support Israel and is supplying anti-missile systems and troops.
The situation has been exacerbated by Iran’s support for its allies, including Hezbollah and armed groups in Iraq, following missile attacks on Israel. As diplomatic efforts falter, the violence persists, with Israeli strikes in Lebanon reportedly resulting in over 2,350 deaths and nearly 11,000 injuries over the past year, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on the Lebanese population.
