In Beirut, Lebanon, there was an exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah on Saturday. Authorities in Beirut were searching through the debris of an apartment building that was demolished by an Israeli airstrike, resulting in the deaths of 37 individuals, including a senior leader of Hezbollah, women, and children. The Israeli government anticipated an increase in rocket attacks from Hezbollah and imposed new restrictions, such as limiting the size of gatherings and implementing other measures in northern Israel near the Lebanon border, leading to the closure of schools in some areas on Sunday.
The Israeli airstrike occurred on Friday, targeting an eight-story building in a densely populated neighborhood in southern Beirut where Hezbollah members were believed to be meeting. The airstrike reportedly killed Ibrahim Akil, a prominent Hezbollah official who led the Radwan Force special forces unit, and Ahmed Wahbi, a high-ranking commander in the group’s military wing.
Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, stated that the attack disrupted Hezbollah’s chain of command and eliminated Akil, who was a long-sought target by the U.S. for his alleged involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and other activities. Lebanon’s health minister confirmed the deaths of seven women and three children in the airstrike, with 68 individuals injured, including 15 in critical condition.
Following the strike, Hezbollah acknowledged the deaths of more than a dozen of its operatives without providing details on how or where they were killed. The Israeli military reported that 16 Hezbollah fighters were killed. Subsequent to the attack, both Israel and Hezbollah continued their aerial assaults and rocket attacks on each other, with Israel launching strikes on various rocket launchers in Lebanon and Hezbollah firing rockets towards northern Israel.
The heightened tensions have prompted Israel to enhance safety protocols in its northern regions, including restrictions on gatherings and the promotion of prompt access to protected areas in case of an attack. Additionally, Israel has intensified its military presence along the northern border in preparation for potential further conflict. Hezbollah has indicated that it will only cease its attacks once a ceasefire agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The recent violence between Israel and Hezbollah follows a period of ongoing clashes, with an Israeli offensive in Gaza in response to attacks by Hamas. Hezbollah’s bombardments targeted Israeli military sites, leading to increased hostilities. The latest escalation saw significant casualties, with hospitals in Lebanon overflowing with the injured. This conflict signifies a dangerous escalation in tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides committing to further action in the coming days.
