Israel Tank Hits UN Base in Lebanon, Airstrikes Kill 22 in Beirut Amid Attempt to Target Senior Hezbollah Leader

Israel Tank Hits UN Base in Lebanon, Airstrikes Kill 22 in Beirut Amid Attempt to Target Senior Hezbollah Leader

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, tensions sharply increased on Thursday when Israeli airstrikes attacked central Beirut, leaving 22 people dead and numerous others injured. The strikes are a part of Israel’s continuous battle with Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters. The strike destroyed an eight-story structure and seriously damaged another in two different areas, making it the most catastrophic air raid in more than a year.

Amid the confusion, senior official Wafiq Safa came dangerously close to being killed by Israel, according to Hezbollah sources. It is stated that during the airstrikes, the head of Hezbollah’s security was not inside any of the buildings that were attacked. Israel’s air strike was reportedly intended to kill at least one top Hezbollah figure, according to earlier allegations from Lebanese security.

UN Peacekeepers Caught in the Crossfire

The UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, reported that Israeli troops were frequently hitting their headquarters in southern Lebanon, indicating that the bombings were not limited to residential areas. An Israeli Merkava tank opened fire straight at an observation tower at UNIFIL’s Naqoura outpost, according to reports. Additionally, a peacekeeper’s bunker was observed to be close to an Israeli drone. Communication systems and vehicles both suffered serious damage.

Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Foreign Minister, said that two Indonesian troops were hurt in the incident and are currently being treated at a hospital. Italy, which has about a thousand soldiers stationed with UNIFIL, denounced the strikes with great intensity. Guido Crosetto, the minister of defense, went a step further and charged that Israel was “deliberately targeting” the UNIFIL installation, raising the possibility that these acts were war crimes.

Global Response

The United States, Israel’s main ally, was among those who harshly condemned the occurrence on a global scale. Following allegations that Israeli soldiers were firing at UN peacekeepers, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council expressed “deep concern.” The Israeli military confirmed the strikes and advised UNIFIL to stay in areas under protection as long as the fighting goes on.

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Fears of a further escalation in Lebanon’s already unstable situation have been increased by the attack on peacekeepers and the attempted assassination of a senior Hezbollah official.