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Saturday, 23 November 2024
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New Details on the Israeli Strike in the Heart of Beirut
غارة إسرائيلية (تعبيرية)

New information has emerged regarding the Israeli airstrike that targeted the heart of the Lebanese capital early Saturday morning.

Israeli security sources revealed that the strike, which targeted the al-Basta al-Fawqa area in central Beirut, was aimed at Hezbollah leader Mohammed Haidar; however, it did not achieve its intended goals.

Conversely, sources from Hezbollah denied to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath that Haidar was targeted in the strike, asserting that no senior Hezbollah figures were present in the targeted building.

The Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people and injuries to 63 others, with the attack destroying an 8-story residential building in the crowded al-Basta al-Fawqa area, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

The National News Agency reported that Israel used bunker-busting bombs, which created a deep crater at the site. Security sources noted that the smell of explosives lingered in Beirut for hours following the attack.

It was indicated that at least four bombs were used in this strike.

It is noteworthy that this is not the first time Israeli airstrikes have targeted the Lebanese capital, making this the fourth strike in just a few days. Last week, Israel conducted an attack on the Mar Elias area, and prior to that, it targeted Ra's al-Nabaa, leading to the assassination of Hezbollah’s media official, Mohammed Afif. The strikes also hit the Zuqaq al-Blat area, located about 500 meters from the government and parliament headquarters, in addition to the Cola area.

Furthermore, after a year of intermittent gunfire exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah across the border, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, eastern Lebanon, and the southern suburbs of Beirut since September 23. On September 30, Israel announced the commencement of what it described as "limited" ground operations.

Recently, several high-ranking Hezbollah leaders have been killed, including the assassination of the party's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, on September 27 in a heavy strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut.