Israel launches surprise airstrike in central Beirut area

Israeli Air Raids Hit Central Beirut, Causing Widespread Damage and Casualties

A series of airstrikes by Israel struck central Beirut on Wednesday, killing dozens and wounding hundreds, according to officials. The attacks occurred just hours after a ceasefire was announced in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that at least 50 people had been killed and hundreds more injured, with preliminary figures likely to rise as rescue efforts continued. The Israeli military described the strikes as the largest coordinated attack of the current war, targeting over 100 Hezbollah-linked sites within a 10-minute period in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the eastern Bekaa Valley.

The attacks hit several commercial areas, prompting residents to flee in panic as sirens sounded and debris littered the streets. At least five neighborhoods in central and coastal districts were affected, according to the National News Agency.

The Israeli military claimed that its targets included missile launchers, command centers, and intelligence infrastructure, while accusing Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields. However, local residents and officials disputed this, stating that the buildings struck were not military sites.

This incident marks a rare attack by Israel in central Beirut since the latest round of fighting with Hezbollah began on March 2. The conflict has already resulted in over 1,530 deaths and forced at least 1.2 million people to flee their homes.

Source: Al Jazeera