BEIRUT/JERUSALEM: Israel's military reported the elimination of 15 members of Hezbollah in south Lebanon on Thursday, following a day marked by its forces' deadliest engagement with the group in a year of confrontations. The Israeli military attributed the deaths to a targeted strike on the municipal building of the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, where Hezbollah operatives were located.
In a statement, the Hezbollah-affiliated Health Authority disclosed the loss of seven staff members, including two medical professionals, in the bombing of Beirut. Israel confirmed the execution of a precise aerial assault on the Lebanese capital. Witnesses reported a significant explosion, and a security source identified the target as a building in the Bachoura district, adjacent to Parliament, marking the closest Israeli strike has come to the central downtown area of Beirut.
The Lebanese authorities reported that at least six individuals were killed and seven others sustained injuries. A photograph, which has circulated among Lebanese WhatsApp groups and has not been independently verified by Reuters, depicts a building severely damaged with its first floor engulfed in flames.
"Another night of unrest in Beirut. The city is in constant turmoil. No warning signals. Uncertainty looms large. Anxiety and fear are pervasive," U.N. special coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed on Thursday.
A day following Iran's launch of over 180 missiles at Israel, Israel disclosed on Wednesday that eight soldiers had been killed in ground combat operations in south Lebanon. In response, Iran declared the missile barrage to be over, with the exception of any further provocations, but Israel and the United States vowed to retaliate with significant force.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani called for a serious ceasefire initiative to halt Israel's "aggression" in Lebanon, emphasizing that peace in the Middle East is unattainable without the establishment of a Palestinian state. "Israel's actions are unchecked. We have consistently warned against such behavior," he stated at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha.
Similarly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned against complacency in the face of Israel's "aggressive" actions. "Any form of military aggression, terrorist activities, or violations of our red lines will be met with a resolute response from our armed forces," he declared. Additionally, three Israeli missiles struck the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated the previous week, resulting in loud explosions heard by Lebanese security officials.
The demise of Hezbollah, a force that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had cultivated into Lebanon's most formidable military and political entity, significantly weakened the organization. This development not only diminished Hezbollah's influence within Lebanon but also severed its ties with Iran, which had supported it as its most potent proxy. In response, Hezbollah, along with Iran's other regional allies, including the Houthis in Yemen and various armed groups in Iraq, have initiated attacks in the region. These actions have been in support of Hamas during its conflict with Israel in Gaza.
The Houthis, who have engaged in missile launches, armed drone operations, and the deployment of vessels loaded with explosives against commercial vessels associated with Israeli, U.S., and UK entities since the previous year, claimed a successful strike on Israel's commercial capital, Tel Aviv, using drones. Israel, in response, intercepted a suspicious aerial target in the vicinity of central Israel on Thursday.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have issued a warning to residents of Lebanese villages that have vacated their homes, advising them to remain absent until further notice. "IDF operations are ongoing," stated Avichay Adraee, the IDF's spokesperson on Thursday. The conflict has resulted in over 1,900 fatalities and more than 9,000 injuries in Lebanon over the past nine months, with the majority of these casualties occurring in the last two weeks, according to figures provided by the Lebanese government. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reported that approximately 1.2 million Lebanese citizens have been displaced due to Israeli attacks. In response to this displacement, over 300 individuals have sought refuge in a nightclub in Beirut, previously known for its lavish parties, where staff are now utilizing guest lists to accommodate new residents. "We are striving to provide support," said Gaelle Irani, who previously oversaw guest relations at the nightclub, taking a momentary pause from her duties to assist individuals in finding accommodation. "It's a challenging situation, but we are committed to helping."
The Israeli military has also deployed regular infantry and armored units to Lebanon on Wednesday, signaling an expansion of operations beyond the initial limited commando raids. This development has heightened concerns of a broader conflict in the oil-rich Middle East. Western nations have initiated contingency plans to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon following Tuesday's escalation, although no large-scale military evacuations have been conducted yet. However, some countries have arranged for the chartering of aircraft to ensure the Beirut airport remains operational.
