Beirut has been left burning after huge blasts ripped through Lebanon’s capital in another night of airstrikes by Israel. The latest onslaught hit Beirut’s southern suburbs late on Sunday, with large fireballs seen from miles away and loud booms ringing out over the darkened skyline.
The assault signified the most intense bombardment of the Lebanese capital since Israel sharply escalated its campaign against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah last month.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported over 30 strikes overnight into Sunday, while Israel’s military said approximately 130 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory. This comes as Hezbollah fired a rocket salvo at the Israeli port city of Haifa, injuring several people with shrapnel.
Cross-Border Escalation
Israel’s military confirmed that at least five projectiles were identified coming from Lebanon, with reports of shrapnel injuries among civilians. The Magen David Adom ambulance service treated ten people, most of them hurt by shrapnel.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that it had targeted an Israeli military base with the rocket salvo. The group reported two previous attacks on another military base south of Haifa and dedicated the latest attack to its leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike last month.
Increasing Tensions
The renewed strikes on Beirut came a day after Israel launched its heaviest bombardment of the city’s southern suburbs, known as the Dahiyeh since it escalated its air campaign on September 23. The Israeli military said it targets Hezbollah, the strongest armed force in Lebanon, which has been firing rockets into Israel in support of the Palestinians.
In addition, a separate Israeli strike in the town of Qamatiyeh southeast of Beirut killed six people, including three children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Reports from the ground detailed a scene of chaos as smoke and flames rose among residential buildings following the attacks.
Casualties and Aftermath
One strike on Sunday killed three sisters and their aunt in the coastal village of Jiyyeh. This is a civilian home, and the biggest evidence is those martyred are four women,” said a neighbour, Ali Al Hajj. Residents described the ordeal as a “night of terror.
Israeli forces also intensified their operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure, weapons caches, and observation posts. The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for residents of southern Beirut late on Sunday, as further strikes are expected.
Broader Regional Impact
Meanwhile, Israel has also intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza. At least 26 people were killed, and 93 others wounded when Israeli airstrikes hit a mosque and a school sheltering displaced people on Sunday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office. Israel stated that these were “precise strikes on Hamas terrorists.
The escalating violence, which has affected both Lebanese and Israeli civilians, highlights the ongoing instability in the region as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to rise. Both sides have vowed to continue their operations in response to perceived threats, and residents are left grappling with the aftermath of each night’s attacks.
Call for Peace and Support
As violence continues to escalate across multiple fronts, international leaders are urging restraint to prevent further escalation. However, the situation remains volatile, with both sides showing no signs of de-escalation in the near term.
The renewed cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have put civilians at the heart of the conflict, raising concerns about the potential for further casualties and humanitarian crises on both sides.
