Beirut shaken by Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds
In the night from Friday to Saturday, the Israeli army carried out another series of attacks on targets associated with the Lebanese Hezbollah in Beirut. Videos of the nighttime airstrikes showing massive explosions have appeared online.
The first airstrike on Beirut by the Israeli army was carried out on Friday afternoon. Just like then, Tel Aviv now assures that it is conducting "precision strikes" on strictly defined targets.
To minimize civilian casualties, the Israeli army had earlier called for the evacuation of residents of three districts in the capital of Lebanon. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that "the army will strike Hezbollah's underground installations in Dahyeh," a southern district of Beirut. He added that the airstrikes will target "three strategic underground Hezbollah facilities in the heart of Dahyeh."
Hagari claims that in the indicated locations, Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organization, stores rockets produced in Iran. According to Israeli authorities, these could be used to destroy commercial ships and strategic facilities in Israel.
Alarm in Lebanon: Dead and wounded
On Friday afternoon, Israeli forces carried out an airstrike on the centre of Beirut. According to reports, the target was the Islamic Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
According to Lebanese authorities, at least six people were killed and 91 were injured in the attack. The Israeli military earlier stated that it had attacked the main Hezbollah headquarters, located under residential buildings in the southern district of the Lebanese capital.
According to Reuters and AFP, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is alive and "doing well". The agencies cite sources close to the organization.
Why is Israel attacking Hezbollah?
Since October 2023, following the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has begun regular shelling of northern Israel. From Monday, the Israeli air force has been launching massive airstrikes on Lebanon.
Over 700 people have already been killed in these strikes. Israel emphasizes that the airstrikes are targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters, with the aim of restoring security in the northern part of the country. Fearing attacks, over 60,000 people have already left the region.
Source: PAP
