Lebanon’s Ministry of Health stated that on Thursday, October 10, Israel launched airstrikes in the center of Beirut, resulting in 22 deaths and 117 injuries. However, the report did not distinguish between civilians and Hezbollah members, nor did it provide detailed information about their identities.
In recent weeks, Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah leaders and disrupting the extremist organization’s combat capabilities.
Reports indicate that one of the targets of Israel’s recent operation was Wafiq Safa, head of Hezbollah’s liaison and coordination department responsible for working with Lebanese security agencies. Safa is the brother-in-law of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a senior figure within the organization.
Despite this, three sources informed Reuters that Safa himself seems to have survived the attack.
According to an on-site photographer from the Associated Press, the airstrikes targeted two residential buildings in different communities. One eight-story building collapsed, while the lower floors of another building were destroyed.
The Israeli military stated that they are investigating the airstrikes. Attacks by Israel often occur in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based.
Following the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah and Israel engaged in a year-long conflict. In recent weeks, tensions between the two sides have escalated significantly, with Israel launching a ground invasion last week.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has expanded the range of rocket attacks into densely populated areas deeper within Israel, disrupting daily life, albeit causing few casualties.
Lebanon’s health authorities also reported at least four additional deaths on Thursday in the eastern Bekaa Valley.
On the same day as the Beirut attack, Israeli tanks fired at a United Nations peacekeeping outpost in southern Lebanon, injuring two personnel and drawing widespread condemnation.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated in a Thursday declaration that he has once again urged the United Nations Security Council to pressure Israel to cease military operations.