As the open war between Israel and Hezbollah enters its third month, more than 50 people died in Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Saturday, particularly in Beirut, according to the Ministry of Health. Jewish Defense Minister Israel Katz said his country would continue to act “with determination” against the Lebanese Shiite movement.
On Saturday morning, “the capital Beirut woke up to a terrifying massacre, the Israeli air force completely destroyed an eight-story residential building with five missiles, rue Maamoun, in the Basta neighborhood,” indicated the national news agency Ani . In a new report made public this afternoon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported at least 15 deaths (11 in the previous report) and 63 injuries this Saturday.
“High-ranking Hezbollah official targeted”
The attack damaged several nearby buildings and ambulances rushed to the site of the targeted building, which had turned into a pile of rubble, in the popular and densely populated Basta neighborhood, according to AFPTV images. “A senior Hezbollah official was targeted,” a Lebanese security source said without revealing his identity. “It was not possible to know whether he was killed,” he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Amin Cherri, Hezbollah MP, for his part denied that a leader of the Lebanese movement was targeted in Basta. “There are no party officials in the two targeted buildings,” he said during a visit to the site. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attacks.
“Violent” strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut
In the morning, a new “violent” Israeli attack targeted the southern outskirts of Beirut, in the al-Hadath neighborhood, not far from the Lebanese University, the official Lebanese agency reported. The raid was preceded by a call by the Israeli army to evacuate the area.
In Chiyah, one of the targeted neighborhoods, a building was transformed into a smoking pile of stones and scrap metal. All around, facades gutted and windows blown out. In Hadath firefighters continue to fight the flames in the bombed buildings.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, eight people, including four children, were killed in an Israeli attack in eastern Lebanon. According to the same source, as of October 8, 2023, more than 3,640 people have been killed in Lebanon, the most since September 23. In total, the Lebanese authorities regret at least 38 deaths during the strikes that hit the south and east of the country.
For its part, the Israeli army said it had “carried out a series of attacks against Hezbollah terrorist command centers” in the southern outskirts of Beirut. It added that it had struck “Hezbollah terrorist targets in the Tire region” (south), including “command centers” and “weapons depots”. In recent months, Israel has practically decimated the leadership of the armed movement by killing many of its leaders.
An acceleration of strikes
For the first time on Friday, Israeli troops entered the village of Deir Mimas, about 2.5 km from the border. “Enemy reconnaissance drones” flew over the largely deserted Deir Mimas, warning residents “not to leave their homes,” Ani reported. The IDF attempted to advance at several points along the border, including the town of Khiam, which Israel also bombed. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several attacks on Friday.
The pace of Israeli attacks has accelerated following the departure of US envoy Amos Hochstein, who was visiting Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday to try to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
During a telephone conversation with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel will continue to “act with determination” against Hezbollah. The American reiterated that his country, Israel’s main ally, is in favor of a “diplomatic solution in Lebanon”.
How does the international community typically respond to civilian casualties in conflicts like the one between Israel and Hezbollah?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Middle East Conflict Expert
Editor: Good afternoon! Today, we have an expert in Middle Eastern conflicts, Dr. Miriam Al-Najjar, joining us to shed light on the recent escalations between Israel and Hezbollah. Welcome, Dr. Al-Najjar!
Dr. Al-Najjar: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here, though the circumstances are quite tragic.
Editor: Indeed. The violence has recently intensified, particularly with reports of significant casualties in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes. Can you provide some context about the current situation?
Dr. Al-Najjar: Certainly. The conflict has escalated significantly over the last three months. Recent Israeli attacks resulted in over 50 fatalities in Lebanon in just one day, notably in Beirut’s Basta neighborhood. This area was struck particularly hard when an eight-story residential building was destroyed, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.
Editor: That sounds devastating. How has the Israeli government justified these actions?
Dr. Al-Najjar: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that the country will respond “with determination” against Hezbollah. The Israeli military claims these operations target Hezbollah’s command centers, emphasizing their stance that these strikes are necessary for national security. It’s a complex situation, as they frame their actions as defensive against a group they consider a terrorist organization.
Editor: How does Hezbollah perceive these attacks? There’s been some conflicting information regarding a high-ranking official who was allegedly targeted. What do you make of that?
Dr. Al-Najjar: Yes, the situation is rife with confusion and misinformation. A Lebanese security source suggested that a senior Hezbollah official was targeted; however, this has been refuted by Hezbollah MP Amin Cherri, who insists that no party officials were present in the buildings hit during the attack. This discrepancy highlights the difficulty in obtaining reliable information amidst intense military scrutiny.
Editor: The civilian impact, as you mentioned, is quite severe. What are the broader implications for the Lebanese population given the recent events?
Dr. Al-Najjar: The humanitarian toll is appalling. As of early October, over 3,600 people have reportedly died in Lebanon due to the conflict— a staggering number that reflects the serious civilian impact. The ongoing strikes not only lead to loss of life but also contribute to infrastructure destruction, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis as people are displaced and critical resources are further strained.
Editor: The attacks have been described as ‘violent,’ and images depict widespread destruction in areas like Chiyah and al-Hadath. Is this level of violence typical for this region?
Dr. Al-Najjar: Unfortunately, heightened violence is a hallmark of this conflict, especially during escalated tensions. However, the scale and frequency of these specific attacks are alarming. The use of heavy bombardment in densely populated areas raises questions about the observed rules of engagement, particularly concerning civilian protection under international law.
Editor: What can the international community do in response to such escalations?
Dr. Al-Najjar: The international community must prioritize dialog and diplomacy while condemning acts that result in civilian casualties. There should be calls for deescalation and a renewed focus on peace negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected in Lebanon. However, external pressure often varies, as geopolitical interests, alliances, and historical contexts complicate these discussions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Najjar, for your insights into this complex and tragic situation. It is crucial that we continue to monitor and report on these developments with a focus on humanitarian implications.
Dr. Al-Najjar: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for peace and safety for all those affected.
Editor: Indeed. Thank you to our viewers for joining us to discuss this critical issue. Stay informed, and we hope for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.