The death toll from an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of Beirut has climbed to 31, including three children and seven women, according to Lebanon’s health minister.
The strike, which devastated two buildings in the densely populated Dahiya area during Friday’s rush hour, also left 68 people injured. Health Minister Firass Abiad announced on Saturday that two of the wounded remain in critical condition.
Among the children who lost their lives were a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 10-year-old, while 23 others are still missing under the debris, Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh stated. Hamieh condemned the strike, calling it a “war crime” and accusing Israel of pushing the region toward open conflict.
The Israeli military claimed the airstrike was a “targeted operation” aimed at senior members of Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces, a special unit within the militant group.
Hezbollah confirmed that two high-ranking commanders, Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmad Mahmoud Wahabi, were among those killed, along with 12 other Hezbollah fighters. This follows a similar incident in July when another Israeli airstrike killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s top military leader.
Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi declared that the country has entered a “critical” phase, urging all efforts to prevent further violations of its sovereignty and halt the escalation of violence.
Earlier in the week, Lebanon also suffered explosions of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies, which Lebanese officials blamed on Israel. Those explosions resulted in 39 deaths and thousands of injuries.
What’s Next?
Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan noted the growing tension, with many residents now fearful of what Israel’s next move will be, rather than Hezbollah’s response. This latest incident marks a turning point in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which had previously been mostly confined to the border regions.
Ibrahim Fraihat, a professor of international conflict resolution, highlighted the implications of these strikes for international law. “What’s happening in Lebanon shows a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law,” Fraihat told Al Jazeera, adding that the West’s silence has only normalized such violations.
Fraihat also warned that the conflict in Lebanon could shift focus away from the ongoing crisis in Gaza, potentially allowing further human rights abuses there.
Reporting from Amman, Jordan, Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi noted that Israel was aware of the likely civilian casualties but proceeded with the attack regardless. “Lebanese authorities are accusing Israel of acting with impunity once again,” Basravi said.
Israeli officials have signaled readiness for an intensified confrontation with Hezbollah, which has engaged in almost daily cross-border exchanges with Israel since October 7. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following Friday’s strike, stated, “Our objectives are clear; our actions speak for themselves.”
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant added, “We will continue to pursue our enemies to protect our citizens, even in Beirut.”
Nearly a year into its campaign against Gaza, Israel appears to believe that ramping up strikes on Hezbollah in multiple locations will force the group into retreat, according to Basravi. Israel’s strategy involves applying military pressure across various fronts in hopes of diminishing Hezbollah’s operational capacity.
Source: Al Jazeera