Politics
Netanyahu Declares ‘Our Goals Are Clear’ After Israeli Airstrike Kills 14 in Beirut
Netanyahu Declares ‘Our Goals Are Clear’ After Israeli Airstrike Kills 14 in Beirut
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, has responded strongly to air strikes in southern Beirut. He stressed that his country’s goals were obvious.
In public comments following the bombing he said: “We have made it clear what we want to achieve and our actions speak for themselves.” But neither he nor his office provided any information on the raid over Dahieh district – known stronghold for Hezbollah militants.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said 14 people died from Israeli bombing with another 66 wounded; nine injured persons are said by them to be in a critical condition.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the attack targeted an apartment within Jamous area of suburbs to south Beirut.
Later on Israeli officials disclosed that Ibrahim Aqil had been targeted there – he is senior commander from Hezbollah group which controls Dahieh among other areas in Lebanon as well as waging war against Israel.
Israel confirmed it had killed Aqil plus several more top Radwan Force operatives belonging to organisation during airstrike; military sources then admitted responsibility for attack.
This was third occasion since hostilities escalated between Israel with Hezbollah there had been Israeli raids on Beirut: previous targets include Saleh al-Arouri (Hamas chief January) and Fouad Shukr (Hezbollah leader July).
The most recent airstrikes took place a few days after a number of explosions in Lebanon which resulted in the deaths of 37 individuals and left over 3,250 others injured – among them there were numerous women and children.
Also Read: Exploding Pagers and Walkie-Talkies: Is Israel Preparing for War with Hezbollah?
Israel has said nothing about these blasts but Defence Minister Yoav Gallant did warn that its conflict with Hezbollah had entered into “new phase”.
So far there has been no response from either side following the aerial attacks as tension throughout region increases steadily: global attention is focused on how events will develop further.
