Intensified Israeli Airstrikes Hit Beirut’s Southern Suburbs
Beirut faced its heaviest bombardment yet as Israeli airstrikes struck the city’s southern suburbs overnight and into Sunday morning, marking the most intense assault since Israel escalated its campaign against Hezbollah last month.
Explosions rocked the city, sending shockwaves and bright flashes of light across the night sky for nearly half an hour. Residents, such as Hanan Abdullah from the Burj al-Barajneh area, described the bombing as overwhelming, with buildings shaking and the sounds of strikes filling the air.
The Israeli military confirmed targeting Hezbollah’s weapons storage facilities and other “terrorist infrastructure” in Beirut. However, Lebanese authorities did not immediately disclose the extent of the damage. Smoke clouds lingered over the city, and rubble was scattered across streets, signaling the destruction caused by the bombardment.
This surge in airstrikes came just before the October 7 Hamas raid on southern Israel, triggering broader Israeli military actions across Gaza, Lebanon, and other parts of the region.
Lebanese officials report that over 2,000 people have been killed in nearly a year of conflict, with most of the casualties occurring in the last two weeks. On Sunday alone, 23 people lost their lives.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) raised concerns over Israel’s actions, with the UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi stating that airstrikes on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon were in violation of international law.
Thousands of civilians remain trapped by the conflict, unable to flee or seek safety. The UNHCR in Lebanon highlighted the plight of 6,000 Syrian refugees in the southern part of the country, stranded and unsure where to turn as the violence continues.
While Israel maintains that it aims to minimize civilian casualties and targets military objectives, Lebanese authorities accuse the Israeli military of deliberately striking civilian areas. Both Hezbollah and Hamas deny allegations of using civilians as shields.
The recent strikes have taken a heavy toll on Hezbollah’s leadership. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s leader, was killed on September 27, and Hashem Safieddine, a potential successor, has been out of contact following an Israeli airstrike near Beirut’s airport. Israel has continued to bomb the area, hampering rescue efforts, though Hezbollah has yet to comment on Safieddine’s fate.
As the conflict escalates, the region faces ongoing humanitarian and security challenges, with international organizations warning of the devastating impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
