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Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah Command Center in Beirut, Resulting in Casualties
On Monday, Israel announced that an airstrike carried out by its aircraft on the Al-Basita area in central Beirut targeted a command center belonging to Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated in a brief announcement: "The Israeli army has struck a command center for Hezbollah."
The violent airstrike resulted in the deaths of at least 29 individuals and injured 67 others, according to the latest toll from the Lebanese Ministry of Health. A Lebanese security source reported that a "senior leader" in Hezbollah was targeted in the Israeli strike, while a Hezbollah MP denied that any "personality" from the organization was present at the site when the strike occurred.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that "the Israeli strike in Al-Basita targeted a Hezbollah leadership figure," without confirming whether the target was killed. Meanwhile, Hezbollah MP Amin Shari denied that the strike in Al-Basita targeted any leader from Hezbollah.
Since the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8, 2023, Lebanon has recorded at least 3,754 deaths and over 15,000 injuries due to Israeli fire.
On Monday, airstrikes resumed in the southern suburbs of Beirut following an Israeli warning to residents to evacuate, amid ongoing confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel. Thick clouds of smoke and dust were seen rising from the area after at least two airstrikes, as Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adrei urged residents via X platform to evacuate three buildings in Haret Hreik.
Additionally, Israeli airstrikes targeted the towns of Yahmor Al-Shqif, Al-Jabal Al-Ahmar between Harouf and Shoukin, and Zabidi in southern Lebanon, according to reports by the National News Agency. The heavy Israeli airstrikes in Yahmor Al-Shqif resulted in the destruction of 15 homes. Attacks were also recorded on Arnoun, Kafr Tabnit, Harij Ali Al-Tahir, the vicinity of the Shuqif Castle, and the Litani River between Zawtar and Dirsaryan, as well as three airstrikes on Ain Qana in the Tyre region.
In a separate military operation, an armored Israeli patrol advanced at 5 AM from Shama towards Al-Bayada westward, and after covering several meters, it was targeted by resistance fire, damaging two Merkava tanks, as reported by the National News Agency.
Furthermore, a correspondent for the Lebanese National News Agency in Marjayoun reported that Israeli forces conducted a bombing and explosion operation in the town of Khiam, causing residents to feel strong tremors due to the blast, with shrapnel from the explosion reaching some homes in nearby villages. This was accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment targeting the town's center and bursts of machine gun fire.
The Lebanese agency also reported from the Emergency Public Health Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health that an Israeli airstrike on Zibaqin, in the Tyre district, resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
