An Israeli air strike on a multi-storey building in central Beirut has left nine people dead and 14 injured, according to Lebanese officials. The targeted building, located in the Bachoura area, housed a Hezbollah-affiliated health centre. Israel’s military described the attack as a “precision” strike, marking the first Israeli action so close to the heart of Beirut, just meters away from Lebanon’s parliament.
The attack follows five other air strikes overnight, primarily hitting targets in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh in southern Beirut. This escalation comes after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the loss of eight soldiers during ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for destroying Israeli tanks during the clashes, asserting that it has sufficient manpower and ammunition to repel Israeli forces. Despite suffering heavy losses, including over 1,200 fatalities and 1.2 million displaced people across Lebanon, Hezbollah remains a formidable opponent due to its well-established infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including extensive underground tunnels and thousands of fighters familiar with the terrain.
In response to continued Hezbollah attacks, the IDF has ramped up ground operations, deploying more infantry and armored units to dismantle what it describes as “terrorist infrastructure” in Lebanese border villages. Overnight air strikes in Dahieh targeted Hezbollah facilities after warnings were issued to nearby residents.
