Lebanon Israel conflict escalates as air and ground strikes hit Beirut and southern regions
At least 14 people have been killed in Israeli air and ground strikes across Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut, as tensions with Hezbollah continue to escalate.
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, four people were killed in Beirut’s southern suburbs, while 10 more, including a family of six, died in southern Lebanon. In addition, 39 people were wounded in a strike on the Jnah neighborhood, located just 100 meters from Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the country’s largest public medical facility.
Ongoing Conflict and Attacks
The recent strikes follow weeks of escalating conflict:
Israeli forces have conducted air strikes since March 2 in response to Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel
Ground operations have expanded into southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions
Some attacks have also been conducted by sea, highlighting the conflict’s regional scope
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah claimed to have fired a cruise missile at an Israeli warship 126 km off the Lebanese coast on Sunday, though the claim has not been independently verified.
The Israeli military stated it had “begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites” in Beirut’s southern suburbs, without providing evidence for the specific targets.
Rising Tensions
The latest violence comes amid broader US-Israel tensions with Iran, which have intensified the Lebanon-Israel conflict.
With civilian casualties rising and key infrastructure in Beirut under threat, regional observers warn of further escalation if diplomatic interventions do not succeed.
Source: Al Jazeera