Rescue teams in Beirut are working to locate individuals still trapped in the rubble following an Israeli airstrike that occurred on Friday, which killed at least 37 people in a suburb of the Lebanese capital.
The airstrike targeted Hezbollah commanders, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil, and marked the deadliest incident in nearly a year of escalating conflict with Israel.
Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed group, reported that 16 of its members were among the fatalities.
The Israeli military claimed the strike hit an underground meeting of Aqil and other leaders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, asserting that it has significantly disrupted the group’s military hierarchy.
The attack resulted in the collapse of a multi-story residential building and caused damage to a nearby nursery.
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that the casualties included three children and seven women.
On Saturday, Israeli warplanes continued their bombardment in southern Lebanon, marking the heaviest strikes in 11 months.
In response, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on military installations in northern Israel.
The Israeli army reported targeting around 180 sites and destroying thousands of rocket launch barrels.
The airstrike escalated tensions further, following recent attacks that had already raised the death toll to 39, with over 3,000 injuries linked to explosions of communication devices reportedly used by Hezbollah members.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati canceled a planned trip to the U.N. General Assembly in New York due to the crisis. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed concern over the potential for further escalation, but noted that the elimination of a top Hezbollah leader may provide a form of justice, as the U.S. designates the group as a terrorist organization.
Hezbollah has vowed to continue its fight against Israel, demanding a ceasefire in the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, while Israel insists that Hezbollah must cease its aggressive actions and withdraw from the border region.
In anticipation of potential retaliation, the Israeli military raised alert levels for northern communities, extending as far south as Haifa.
Residents reported experiencing massive explosions and tremors from ongoing airstrikes.
The situation remains dire, with Hezbollah-aligned transport minister Ali Hamieh stating that at least 23 people are still unaccounted for. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant reaffirmed that Israel’s military operations would continue until peace is restored to northern communities.
As the conflict toll in Lebanon rises, surpassing 740 casualties since October, the U.N. has warned of an “extremely dangerous cycle of violence” that must come to an end.
The U.S. State Department has renewed its travel advisory for Lebanon, urging citizens to avoid travel to the country amid ongoing hostilities.
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