In central Beirut, Israeli airstrikes on Saturday claimed at least 11 lives and left dozens injured, according to local authorities. The Lebanese Health Ministry stated that the death toll might increase as rescuers sift through debris to find survivors. They also noted that DNA testing is being used to identify victims, with 63 individuals reported as wounded. This marks the fourth airstrike in Beirut within a week.
The escalation follows efforts by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein to mediate a cease-fire amid over 13 months of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have intensified into full-scale conflict in recent months.
Lebanese officials reported that over 3,500 people have died and more than 15,000 have been injured due to Israeli strikes, with approximately 1.2 million displaced. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed due to rocket attacks and other confrontations.
Buildings Reduced to Rubble in Pre-Dawn Airstrikes
A 4 a.m. airstrike destroyed an eight-story building, leaving a large crater in its place. In a separate incident in Tyre, a drone strike killed one person and injured another, reportedly fishermen, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The Israeli military warned residents in southern Beirut suburbs to evacuate areas near Hezbollah facilities, which it claimed would be targeted in future operations. Military reports confirmed strikes on command centers and arms storage sites in Beirut’s southern neighborhoods.
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Continued Strikes in Gaza
In Gaza, six people, including three children, were killed in Khan Younis during Saturday airstrikes, according to local health officials. The conflict, now spanning over a year, has resulted in more than 44,000 fatalities, with local reports stating that women and children account for over half of the deaths.
Israeli forces estimate they have killed over 17,000 militants, though evidence has not been provided. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with severe food shortages and thousands displaced into makeshift camps.
ICC Warrants and International Reactions
The strikes come days after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Top Hamas official Mohammed Deif was also targeted by the court.
Netanyahu dismissed the ICC actions as “absurd,” while reactions from international powers varied. The U.K. expressed its support for the court but refrained from discussing hypothetical arrests. The U.S., which does not recognize the ICC, rejected the warrants outright, citing procedural concerns.
Observers suggest the ruling may limit Netanyahu’s international travel but could bolster his alignment with allies like Donald Trump.
