Beirut: In a dramatic escalation of Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, Israeli airstrikes pounded central Beirut on Thursday, killing 22 people and wounding dozens more. The strikes, which hit two residential buildings in different neighborhoods simultaneously, marked the deadliest attack on Beirut in over a year. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the death toll, sparking outrage and further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the country.
One of the buildings, an eight-story apartment complex, was completely flattened, while the lower floors of another nearby building were obliterated. Rescue teams rushed to the scene to search for survivors amidst the rubble, as families and local residents mourned the victims of the attack.
Assassination Attempt on Senior Hezbollah Official Wafiq Safa Fails
Amid the airstrikes, Hezbollah sources claimed that an Israeli attempt to assassinate Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking security official within the militant group, had failed. Safa was reportedly not inside either of the targeted buildings at the time of the attack. Lebanese security officials had earlier stated that Israeli forces were aiming to eliminate a senior Hezbollah leader in the raid.
The targeting of Safa signals Israel’s ongoing effort to weaken Hezbollah’s command structure, as tensions between the two sides continue to simmer. Safa is a key figure in Hezbollah’s intelligence and security apparatus, and his survival underscores the resilience of the group despite repeated attempts by Israel to neutralize its leadership.
UN Peacekeeping Mission Under Fire: UNIFIL Headquarters Hit by Israeli Forces
In a shocking development, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its headquarters in Southern Lebanon had been repeatedly hit by Israeli strikes. The UN peacekeeping mission stated that an Israeli tank had directly fired on an observation tower at its base in Naqoura, and that nearby bunkers where peacekeepers were sheltering were attacked. The strikes caused significant damage to UN vehicles and communication systems, and an Israeli drone was reportedly seen flying near the bunker’s entrance.
Two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured in the attacks and are currently receiving medical treatment, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed. Italy, which has around 1,000 soldiers deployed as part of UNIFIL, expressed outrage at the assault. Italy’s Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, accused Israel of “deliberately targeting” the UNIFIL base, a move he described as potentially constituting war crimes under international law.
Global Condemnation: US and Allies React to Israeli Attack on Peacekeepers
The assault on UNIFIL drew swift condemnation from the international community, with the United States, a key Israeli ally, expressing deep concern over the incident. The attack on the UN peacekeepers has sparked fears of a broader regional conflict, as international human rights organizations call for an investigation into Israel’s actions.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the attack on UNIFIL, but the incident threatens to escalate tensions with the United Nations and its member states. With the situation rapidly deteriorating, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and mediate a ceasefire before the conflict spirals out of control.
Rising Tensions, Global Repercussions
As Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Lebanon and Hezbollah strengthens its resolve, the conflict threatens to spill beyond the borders of the two countries. The failed assassination attempt on Hezbollah’s Wafiq Safa, coupled with the attack on UN peacekeepers, marks a dangerous escalation in the violence. With civilian casualties mounting and international peacekeeping forces now caught in the crossfire, the world watches anxiously as Lebanon teeters on the brink of a broader regional conflict.
