The strike marks a notable escalation in Israel’s nearly two-month bombing campaign against Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran. While previous airstrikes on Beirut focused on Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs, Monday’s attack targeted the Zokak el-Blat district, which hosts UN offices, embassies, and government facilities.
The area has also become a refuge for displaced civilians fleeing southern Lebanon, where Israel has intensified ground operations against Hezbollah.
This follows a similar airstrike on the city center on Sunday, which killed 10 people, including Mohammad Afif, a senior Hezbollah spokesperson.
Civilians caught off guard
Unlike other operations, Israel reportedly provided no prior warning to civilians before Monday’s attack. The absence of clear military targets in the strike has raised questions about its objectives. Lebanese officials are yet to comment on the specifics.
Despite Israel’s sustained campaign, Hezbollah continues its rocket attacks on Israeli territory. On Monday, the group launched dozens of rockets, killing one person and injuring five in Shfaram, northern Israel. Air raid sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv and Haifa, with Israeli forces intercepting a rocket over Tel Aviv.
Since the conflict’s escalation in late 2023, Hezbollah has conducted frequent attacks on Israel, sparking heavy retaliatory strikes. The ongoing violence has claimed over 3,500 lives in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli casualties include over 100 deaths, while the IDF claims to have killed 2,000 Hezbollah fighters and significantly degraded the group’s military capabilities.
Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire?
Efforts to broker a ceasefire face hurdles. Reports indicate that Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy for Middle East negotiations, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday despite the bombing. U.S.-led diplomacy aims to secure a truce that includes Hezbollah’s disarmament in southern Lebanon and the transfer of control to the Lebanese Armed Forces under international supervision.
However, the Lebanese government has resisted provisions granting Israel rights to enforce the agreement.
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Source: IAR