Lebanon: 22 killed, 117 injured after Israeli airstrikes in Beirut

One of the strikes on Thursday, completely levelled an eight-story building in the Burj Abi Haidar area, said Lebanese authorities

Published on: Oct 11, 2024, 06:32:51 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Israeli airstrikes hit neighbourhoods in Beirut on Thursday evening, killing 22 people and wounding 117, Lebanon's health ministry said.

A damaged building stands at the site of an Israeli air strike, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut, Lebanon, (REUTERS)

The air raid targeted two neighbourhoods - Ras al-Nabaa area and Burj Abi Haidar area, and brought down one eight-story building.

Also Read: Hamas attack 1st anniversary: What happened on October 7? How Israel responded | Explained in 10 points

The IDF's ground invasion of Lebanon since October 1 and their repeated air strikes have killed thousands of people over the past few weeks.

Also Read: 'Lethal, surprising': Israel defence minister on response to Iran's ballistic missile attack

On Thursday, Israeli forces also fired on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon and wounded two of them, drawing severe backlash from various countries, including their key ally, the USA.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said: “We are deeply concerned about reports that Israeli forces fired on two positions and a tower used by UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.”

Watch: Netanyahu’s Gaza & Lebanon Conflicts Bleed Israeli Economy; Central Bank Makes This Scary Revelation

Israel has warned the peacekeeping forces to move away from their current positions as it is obstructing their ground invasion.

The Israeli offensive against Lebanon has intensified as they have launched hundreds of air strikes in densely populated areas of Beirut and other parts of Lebanon to root out Hezbollah “terror targets”.

Their attacks have led to major blows to the Iran-backed Hezbollah after the death of chief Hassan Nasrallah and his successor, Hashem Saffiedine, among other important leaders.

Thursday's strikes was also, reportedly, an attempt to kill Wafiq Safa, a top security official with the militant group, though Hezbollah's Al Manar TV confirmed that Safa was not in the buildings that were bombed.

Hezbollah also fired rockets at Israel in retaliation on Thursday, setting off air raid sirens in parts of northern Israel. Israeli military said, several of these drones were intercepted.

Lebanon’s crisis response unit said more than 2,169 people have been killed due to Israeli strikes since September.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.