Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs early Wednesday, according to reports, following U.S. criticism of the scale of Israel’s operations in the city as casualties mount and concerns of broader regional conflict grow. Witnesses described two explosions, with smoke seen rising from two different neighbourhoods. Earlier that morning, Israel had issued an evacuation notice, but it referred to only a single building.
The Israeli military has conducted assaults on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, particularly in the Dahiyeh suburb, in recent weeks, frequently without prior notification. In certain cases, warnings were issued for specified regions while more extensive strikes were implemented. The military has verified that an underground Hezbollah munitions depot in Dahiyeh is being targeted.
The Israeli military stated, “Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including advancing warnings to the population in the area.”
The U.N. refugee agency reported that Israeli military evacuation orders were also affecting over 25% of Lebanon two weeks after Israel initiated incursions into the southern region of the country, which it claims are intended to drive back Hezbollah.
Despite the United States assertion that it is continuing to provide support to Israel and is deploying troops and an anti-missile system, certain Western countries have been advocating for a ceasefire between the two neighbours and in Gaza.
On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller communicated that the U.S. had voiced its concerns to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration regarding recent airstrikes. He stated that the U.S. is opposed to the extensive bombing campaign observed in Beirut over the past few weeks and has made its reservations clear to the Israeli government.
Frances Ibiefo
Follow us on:
