Beirut: In a continuing escalation of violence, a fresh series of Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern Beirut suburbs of Dahiyeh early Saturday, just hours after earlier attacks on the area. The strikes reportedly hit multiple buildings in the al-Hadath and Laylaki neighborhoods, marking a sharp intensification in hostilities.
According to reports, a third wave of strikes later hit al-Hadath and Choueifat, bringing the total number of attacks to over 30. The Israeli military has claimed that the airstrikes were aimed at “weapons belonging to Hezbollah stored beneath civilian buildings.” Hezbollah’s Media Relations’ Office, however, firmly rejected these claims, asserting that no weapons or depots existed in the targeted civilian buildings.
Simultaneously, Israeli airstrikes also hit areas near Tyre, in southern Lebanon, including al-Bass, Burj al-Shamali, and al-Maashouq, raising concerns over further escalation.
United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, expressed grave concern over the escalating conflict. “We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation,” Riza stated, warning of a possible worsening of the situation.
Friday’s airstrikes in Dahiyeh’s Haret Hreik neighborhood killed at least eight civilians and injured around 80 others, amid an Israeli escalation that began on October 7. The rising violence, now spreading into Lebanon, has claimed more than 700 lives across the country. Hezbollah has continued retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets in response.
The region is bracing for further conflict as tensions show no signs of easing.
