Three Killed in Israeli Strikes on Beirut as Conflict with Hezbollah Escalates

Beirut, November 26, 2024 — Israel’s airstrikes on Beirut have claimed the lives of three people and injured 26 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes targeted a four-story building in the Nweiri area that housed displaced people seeking refuge from previous Israeli bombardments. The attack, described by state media as creating a “belt of fire” around Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Witnesses in the affected area described a scene of chaos and devastation. “We were at home and suddenly the strike hit. We were blown away and the walls fell on top of us,” said Rola Jaafar, a resident of a nearby building. She was relieved to find her son alive after being briefly lost in the aftermath of the attack.

The strikes also targeted areas such as Burj Al-Barajneh, Haret Hreik, and Hadath, with thick smoke covering much of southern Beirut and spreading into the city. These raids followed earlier Israeli evacuations calls for at least 20 buildings in Hezbollah’s stronghold. This escalation comes amid Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hezbollah, which have intensified since the conflict with Gaza began earlier this year.

The situation in Lebanon has been dire, with Israeli airstrikes heavily targeting southern Beirut and Hezbollah positions since September. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 3,799 people in Lebanon, most of them since September, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. On the Israeli side, at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians have been killed.

The fighting has led Israel to consider a proposed ceasefire, though the conflict shows no signs of abating as the violence continues to escalate.