On Monday, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced that three of its leaders were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s Kola district, marking the first attack within the city limits during the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East.
Eyewitnesses reported that the strike hit the upper floor of an apartment building in the densely populated district, as Israel continues to intensify its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi militia in Yemen, both of which are supported by Iran. This escalation has raised concerns that the conflict may spiral further and draw in regional powers such as Iran and the United States.
There has been no official comment from the Israeli military regarding the Beirut strike, but this follows a pattern of increasing Israeli military activity across the region. On Sunday, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Houthi positions in Yemen, responding to missile attacks attributed to these groups.
The ongoing Israeli bombardments have claimed the lives of top Hezbollah officials, including the group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has declared that it will continue its military operations to safeguard its northern territories from rocket attacks.
In Yemen, airstrikes have resulted in casualties, with the Houthi health ministry reporting at least four deaths and dozens of injuries. Lebanon’s Health Ministry has confirmed that over 1,000 people have been killed and 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks, with nearly a million people displaced by the violence.
The escalating conflict has prompted international concerns, with the United States urging for a diplomatic solution while simultaneously authorising military reinforcements in the region. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope for preventing an all-out war, stating, “It has to be,” as he plans to engage in further discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The situation in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut, remains tense as Israeli drones continued to hover over the city on Sunday night, with further airstrikes rattling the capital. Displaced families have taken refuge in public spaces, highlighting the devastating humanitarian toll of the conflict.
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