Beirut, Lebanon – In a devastating escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut on Thursday night, killing at least 22 people and injuring 117 in what has become the deadliest attack on the city since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023. strike, which hit Beirut’s densely populated Basta neighborhood, has fueled concerns about the growing toll on civilians and the fragile state of peace in the region.
The attack came amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese militant group, which initiated rocket strikes on north Israel last year. Health officials in Lebanon have confirmed deaths, and videos shared by local news outlets showed scenes of chaos, with buildings reduced to rubble and rescue workers frantically searching for survivors. Red Cross teams and local volunteers worked through the night, attempting to dig through debris and control fires sparked by bombings.
Hezbollah-aligned news network Al-Mayadeen reported that the strike may have been a failed assassination attempt on Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah official responsible for the group’s liaison and coordination with Lebanese authorities. Israeli officials have so far declined to comment on this claim. At the same time, Hezbollah has vowed retaliation for what it calls “an act of aggression.” The targeted area in Beirut is a known stronghold for Hezbollah’s political and military operations. However, it is also a residential district.
This latest strike raises serious concerns over growing civilian casualties in the conflict. Israel has maintained that its strikes are aimed at Hezbollah military installations, but mounting deaths among noncombatants have revived international debate over the proportionality of Israel’s military responses. The Lebanese government has condemned airstrikes, calling me a “gross violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty” and warning that the situation could spiral into a wider conflict.
Israeli Fire Injures U.N. Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon
In a related incident, Israeli forces also fired on three positions held by United Nations peacekeepers along the Lebanon-Israel border, injuring two personnel, according to a statement by the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Positions, located near the town of Naqoura, came under Israeli fire during ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants have been active.
U.N. peacekeeping mission, which monitors the ceasefire line between Israel and Lebanon, has increasingly found itself in the crossfire of conflict. U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix criticized both Hezbollah and Israel for placing military installations near U.N. positions, warning that peacekeepers are “increasingly in jeopardy.”
World leaders, including European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, have voiced concern over the situation, with Borrell calling Thursday’s attack on U.N. peacekeepers “a dangerous escalation.” U.N. has called on all parties to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and civilians, while also urging for a halt to hostilities in southern Lebanon.
Tensions Rising After Iran’s Missile Strike
Meanwhile, in Israel, the security cabinet convened on Thursday night to discuss a response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack, which targeted several sites in northern Israel during the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. A missile barrage, claimed by Iran, marked a significant escalation in a regional conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a meeting with Jewish American leaders in Jerusalem, reaffirmed Israel’s stance, stating that “if we don’t fight, we die,” about Israel’s perceived existential struggle against Iran.
Although no official decision has been announced, there are reports that Israel is considering a major retaliatory strike against Iran’s military infrastructure, with potential targets including nuclear research sites and oil facilities. However, Israeli moderates and the U.S. administration are pushing for a more measured response, emphasizing the need to avoid an all-out war with Iran, which could further destabilize the Middle East.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, addressing Israeli troops, hinted that Israel’s response would be “powerful, precise, and above all — surprising,” in a cryptic message signaling potential military actions to come.
Growing Civilian Toll Sparks Global Concerns
As conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran intensifies, the humanitarian crisis is worsening. The death toll among civilians in Lebanon continues to rise, with the latest airstrikes compounding the suffering of thousands of displaced families. The international community is calling for de-escalation, but with no ceasefire in sight, the future remains uncertain.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to prevent conflict from spreading. Speaking at a news conference in Laos on Friday, Blinken acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself but also called for measures to ensure the protection of displaced civilians in southern Lebanon.
With more than 10,000 U.N. peacekeepers stationed along the volatile Lebanon-Israel border, risks to both military and civilian personnel are mounting. As airstrikes continue, and regional powers weigh in next moves, the specter of a broader Middle East war looms large.
Conclusion
Thursday’s Israeli airstrikes in Beirut mark a critical moment in conflict, one that could have far-reaching consequences for Lebanon, Israel, and the entire Middle East. With civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire and the risk of war expanding beyond Lebanon’s borders, the need for diplomatic intervention and peace negotiations has never been more urgent. However, with military responses on both sides intensifying, the path to resolution remains risky and uncertain.
