In a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes hit various locations within Beirut early this morning. The airstrikes, reportedly numbering in the double digits, were said to be in response to a series of rocket attacks from Hezbollah militants along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
The intense barrage of missiles targeted a number of high-profile sites, including several residential and military compounds believed to be linked with Hezbollah. Among the high-profile figures reportedly in the line of fire was Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, although there are no confirmed reports of his safety or well-being at the time of this report.
Lebanese officials have denounced the Israeli airstrikes as a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty, while Israel maintains that the attacks were a necessary response to continued provocation from Hezbollah. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has urged both parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate the situation.
The aftermath of the airstrikes left a trail of destruction in their wake, with widespread damage reported in densely populated areas of Beirut. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and hospitals braced for an influx of casualties. The Lebanese Red Cross has called for urgent humanitarian aid to assist those affected by the airstrikes.
This latest development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah marks a troubling escalation in the region and raises concerns about the potential for further violence. Both Israel and Lebanon have a history of hostile relations, with the most recent major conflict taking place in 2006. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation in the coming days, with the hope that cooler heads will prevail and a peaceful resolution can be found.