Beirut, Lebanon – Explosions rocked the area near Beirut’s international airport as a result of what appears to be Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in the city. The airport, which borders the Dahieh area, known as the Hezbollah stronghold, suffered significant damage. This comes amid a night of intense air strikes aimed at the militant group.
In response to the Israeli aggression, the Lebanese army confirmed the deaths of two soldiers in the country’s south. The Israeli forces continued their invasion against Hezbollah, leading to the evacuation of 20 towns and villages. The Israeli military has not released a statement regarding the attacks but did mention the killing of Hezbollah fighters near the border.
The fatal attacks on the Lebanese army soldiers occurred just hours apart. The army reported that the first incident took place during an evacuation and rescue operation in Taybeh village. Another soldier was killed in the Bint Jbeil area when an army post was targeted by the Israeli enemy. These incidents mark a rare involvement of the Lebanese army in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces urged residents of two dozen towns and villages in the south, including Nabatieh, to evacuate immediately for their safety. These orders came after Israel demanded Hezbollah withdrawal to the Litani River, in accordance with a UN Security Council resolution following the 2006 war.
In the midst of the conflict, humanitarian organizations described the situation in Beirut as “horrific.” A significant number of people have been displaced, with many seeking shelter in government-run facilities. The continuous air strikes have left a trail of destruction and chaos in the city, prompting international organizations to ramp up their efforts to provide aid and support to those affected.