A devastating airstrike in Beirut has left 22 people dead and 117 injured, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The Thursday evening attack targeted two neighborhoods, Ras al-Nabaa and Burj Abi Haidar, and brought down an eight-story building. This latest incident is part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified since October 1.
Key Developments
Israeli Forces Fire on UN Peacekeepers: Israeli forces fired on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, wounding two.
International Backlash: The US, Israel's key ally, expressed deep concern over the incident, with a White House National Security Council spokesperson calling for de-escalation.
Hezbollah Retaliation: Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, triggering air raid sirens in northern Israel, with several drones intercepted by the Israeli military.
Rising Death Toll: Lebanon's crisis response unit reports over 2,169 people killed due to Israeli strikes since September.
Conflict Escalation
The Israeli offensive against Lebanon aims to root out Hezbollah "terror targets". The attacks have dealt significant blows to the Iran-backed Hezbollah, including the deaths of chief Hassan Nasrallah and his successor, Hashem Saffiedine.
Global Response
US Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the need for de-escalation, stating, "We've got to reach a ceasefire... We've got to de-escalate".