Israel Resumes Airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon Despite US Opposition

Israel "Hezbollah Targets Underground Storage of Strategic Weapons"

On the 16th (local time), the Israeli military resumed airstrikes on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, after six days, despite opposition from the United States.

Major foreign media outlets, including AFP, reported that the Israeli military bombed the Dahieh area, a Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, with fighter jets that morning. Previously, on the 10th, the Israeli military attacked densely populated areas of Beirut, killing at least 22 people.

This attack was carried out despite opposition from the United States. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, stated at a briefing the day before, "We have made it clear to the Israeli government that the nature and scope of the bombing operations seen in Beirut over the past few weeks are of concern to us and opposed."

The Israeli military claimed in a statement that "the attack targeted strategic weapons stored by Hezbollah in underground facilities."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Before the airstrike, the Israeli military posted on social media in Arabic, urging evacuation by announcing a new emergency alert for residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut, especially those living in buildings in the Haret Hreik area, and shared a map indicating the expected operation zones.

According to AFP reports, the Israeli military conducted intense airstrikes not only on Beirut but also carried out 11 bombing runs in the Nabatiyeh area of southern Lebanon, controlled by Hezbollah. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that the Nabatiyeh city hall building was damaged in the airstrike, resulting in the deaths of five people, including Mayor Ahmad Kahil.

In Kana, southern Lebanon, local rescue authorities reported that at least 15 people died due to the Israeli airstrikes.