2024-08-02 04:15:18
Israeli shelling targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, killing one person and wounding 68 others.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that “the aggression targeted a residential area near Bahman Hospital in Haret Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut, leading to the collapse of a building next to the hospital and injuries among civilians.”
She pointed out that “ambulances rushed to the Harat Hreik area to transport the injured, as well as fire engines,” noting that “the aggression was carried out by an Israeli drone that launched several missiles towards the residential area.”
Lebanese medical sources said: “3 dead and 68 wounded, including 6 children, and 5 of the wounded are in critical condition as a result of the Israeli targeting of the southern suburb of Beirut.”
In this context, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed the government’s condemnation of the Israeli attack on the southern suburb, which targeted a Hezbollah leader.
Mikati said in a statement by the Council of Ministers, “The Israeli killing machine has not had enough of targeting Lebanese areas in the south and the Bekaa, reaching deep into the capital Beirut, and just meters away from one of the largest hospitals in Lebanon.”
He added, “This criminal act that took place tonight is a link in a chain of aggressive operations that are killing civilians, and this is a matter that we place before the international community, which must assume its responsibilities and exert all possible pressure to compel Israel to stop its aggression and threats and implement international resolutions.”
In addition, the Cabinet announced that a meeting will be held tomorrow with the attendance of all ministers to discuss the latest developments in the situation following the Israeli attack.
For his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib said, during a telephone interview with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, that Lebanon “will file a complaint with the Security Council in this regard,” and he also expressed the importance of “Hezbollah’s response to Israel being consistent.”
Hezbollah said in an initial statement: “The Zionist enemy attacked the southern suburb of Beirut, targeting a residential building in one of its neighborhoods, which led to the martyrdom of a number of citizens, the injury of others, and the occurrence of major destruction in a number of the building’s floors.”
Hezbollah added: “Civil defense teams have been working diligently since the incident to remove the rubble, but slowly due to the condition of the destroyed layers. We are still waiting for the result that those concerned with this process will reach regarding the fate of the leader of the Lebanese resistance, Fouad Shukr, who was present in the targeted building, and other citizens, so that the necessary action can be taken.”
In contrast, Hebrew media reported that the Israeli army assassinated Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in the attack.
A security source told Reuters that “the target of the attack in Beirut was a senior member of Hezbollah,” but a party official denied to Sputnik the accuracy of the information circulating about the killing of one of its leaders.
Hebrew media also reported that the Israeli authorities ordered the opening of shelters in Tel Aviv and Rishon LeZion, in anticipation of Hezbollah’s response to the Israeli bombing of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
The recent days have witnessed an escalation in the field situation after Israel accused Hezbollah of being responsible for the killing of 12 children and wounding others with a missile that fell on the town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights. Israel threatened a harsh response to the incident, while Hezbollah denied any connection to the matter.
Last updated: July 31, 2024 – 07:46
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2024-08-02 04:15:18