Amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli military carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut for the third day on Thursday. In these early morning bombings, huge columns of smoke were seen rising into the sky over Beirut, causing an atmosphere of fear and insecurity to spread among the population. According to the National News Agency (NNA), Lebanon’s state news agency, the attacks affected not only Beirut, but also
It also reached the Bint Jabil area in southern Lebanon. The air and artillery attacks that took place here overnight caused serious damage to many buildings and residential complexes. In addition, at least five people were killed in attacks on the towns of Bazouriyeh and Jumayjimeh.
Israel’s action against Hezbollah
Since late September, Israel has launched a major air and ground campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. The operation aims to weaken the base and influence of Hezbollah, which has been involved in the years-long conflict along the border. This campaign is taking place in parallel with the Gaza war and is causing greater instability and tension on both sides.
The death toll and injury toll continue to rise.
Areas affected by the attacks in Beirut’s suburbs have already been evacuated, so local authorities have not released official casualty figures from Thursday’s attacks. However, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health has reported that so far 3,365 people have been killed and 14,344 injured across Lebanon in ongoing Israeli attacks since October 7. These figures highlight the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire continue
Ali Hassan Khalil, political assistant to Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, said Wednesday that a preliminary agreement for a ceasefire has been worked out with US envoy Amos Hochstein. Khalil said in an interview with Al Jazeera that this proposal was sent to the Israeli side through Hochstein, but so far no response has been received from Israel.
He also said that any possible agreement should be based on UN Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006. The purpose of this proposal is to help the Lebanese army maintain peace along the Israeli border in southern Lebanon and ensure that only Lebanese state forces remain present there.
Khalil also indicated that Lebanon has no objection to the United States or France participating in monitoring the ceasefire. He said that this international support will not only be helpful in establishing peace but can also prove helpful in maintaining stability in the region.
