Israeli fighter jets launched overnight bombardments on Beirut’s southern suburbs, prompting panicked families to flee the area. Hitting Hezbollah’s headquarters and weapons facilities, Israel aimed to target leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hundreds of families sought shelter in downtown Beirut. Lebanon’s health ministry announced hospitals in the southern suburbs would be evacuated after the strikes and urged unaffected hospitals to stop admitting non-urgent cases. Israel reported intercepting projectiles from Lebanon, sparking fears of escalating conflict in the region. The strikes came after a deadly attack on southern Beirut on Friday, killing six and injuring 91. Hezbollah retaliated by bombing Safed in northern Israel and warned of further attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally approved the strikes, leading to protests in Iranian cities and Yemen. Tensions escalated after Netanyahu’s bellicose speech at the UN general assembly, where he asserted Israel’s dominance in ongoing conflicts. The UN secretary general called for a ceasefire in the Middle East, emphasizing Gaza as the focal point of violence. The situation remains volatile as Biden orders a review of American forces in the region following the attacks. The European Union expressed regret over the escalating violence, while fears of further retaliation and casualties persist amidst the ongoing clashes.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com