At least seven health and rescue workers are reported to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment building in Beirut overnight. The incident highlights an intense conflict involving Israeli military operations against Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The attack took place in Bashoura district, which houses the offices of the Health Society, a group of civilian responders linked to Hezbollah.
The airstrike is the second in central Beirut this week and the second to hit a health society in just 24 hours. The Associated Press noted that no warning was given to residents before the strike, which reportedly left the area smelling like sulfur. In addition, Lebanon’s state news agency accused Israel of using phosphorus bombs, which are banned under international law, near civilian populations.
The Ministry of Health in Lebanon has indicated that the ongoing strike has caused more than 1,000 deaths and displaced more than 1 million people in the past two weeks. In response to rising tensions, the IDF issued new evacuation orders for 25 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of affected communities to 77 since the start of Israeli ground operations.
Human rights organizations have previously criticized Israel for using incendiary shells in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had carried out the strike but did not provide details of the operation. The incident came amid a wide-ranging series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, with Lebanese health officials reporting 46 deaths and 85 injuries from Israeli strikes in a 24-hour period.
The Israeli Air Force claimed it had killed about 15 Hezbollah members after targeting a government building in Bing Jabeel in southern Lebanon, which was used by the terror group. Israel has increased its military presence in southern Lebanon as it continues its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian health officials, air and ground operations in Gaza killed more than 50 people, including children, near Khan Younis.
The conflict has taken a significant toll in Gaza, with more than 41,500 people reported dead since the outbreak of violence triggered by a Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October 2022. The IDF characterized the ongoing fighting with Hezbollah as intense, confirming the deaths of eight Israeli soldiers. During a recent operation.
In light of the escalating conflict, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to monitor the situation in the Middle East. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations reported that Iran had fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel as a deterrent to further aggression, an action Israel described as unprecedented.
Countries are now preparing for the possible evacuation of their citizens from Lebanon due to the escalating violence. Following the evacuation flight from Beirut, the British government has arranged an additional flight for UK nationals to leave Lebanon. Around 700 British military personnel and officers have been deployed to a military base in Cyprus to support the evacuation effort.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate against Iran, while Iran’s military leaders have threatened a wider attack if Israel escalates its operations. US President Joe Biden indicated that discussions are ongoing between the US and Israel regarding an appropriate response to Iran’s missile attacks and stressed that any response should be proportionate.
Australia has booked seats on commercial flights for its nationals to leave Lebanon, while Japan has sent planes to prepare for a possible airlift of its nationals. The U.S. State Department has issued a “do not travel” advisory for Lebanon, urging American citizens to leave the region amid growing security concerns while commercial options are available.