Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut early Saturday, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens, according to Lebanese officials. The strikes, which leveled an eight-story building and left a large crater, mark the fourth assault on the Lebanese capital in under a week.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry warning that the death toll may rise as DNA testing is used to identify victims.
The escalation comes as U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein’s attempts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah remain unsuccessful, extending a conflict that has intensified over the past two months after more than a year of hostilities.
Toll of the Ongoing Conflict
Israeli bombardments have killed over 3,500 people in Lebanon and injured more than 15,000, displacing approximately 1.2 million people—about a quarter of Lebanon’s population. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians through rocket and drone attacks.
In the southern city of Tyre, a separate drone strike killed one person and injured another on Saturday. Witnesses reported that the victims, identified as fishermen, appeared to be teenagers. The Israeli military did not comment on the casualties but issued warnings to residents of southern Beirut, urging them to evacuate areas near Hezbollah facilities.
Ongoing Strikes in Gaza
Meanwhile, airstrikes in Gaza killed six people, including three children, in the city of Khan Younis. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the death toll from the 13-month-long war has surpassed 44,000, with over half the fatalities being women and children. Israeli authorities claim to have killed 17,000 militants, though they have not provided evidence.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas-led militants storming southern Israel in October 2023, continues to devastate Gaza’s infrastructure. Nearly 90% of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced, with many living in dire conditions in overcrowded camps. Food scarcity has worsened, with bakeries closing and bread prices soaring. In Deir al-Balah, two women were fatally shot while waiting for bread in unclear circumstances.
Global Reactions to ICC Warrants
The intensifying violence coincides with the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The ICC also issued a warrant for senior Hamas official Mohammed Deif, who Israel claims to have killed.
Netanyahu denounced the ICC’s decision, calling it “absurd and false.” The U.S., which does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, also rejected the court’s ruling, while the U.K. reaffirmed support for the ICC but avoided committing to action against Netanyahu. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the warrants, reiterating Russia’s non-recognition of the court.
As diplomatic avenues falter and international criticism mounts, the prospects for a cease-fire remain uncertain, with the conflict showing no signs of abating.
