A pre-dawn Israeli airstrike on Saturday in Beirut’s densely populated Basta district has left at least 20 people dead and over 60 injured, according to Lebanese officials. The strike, which destroyed an eight-story residential building, was reportedly aimed at a senior Hezbollah figure but resulted in a high civilian toll, prompting anger and condemnation from Lebanese residents and officials.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene, digging through rubble in search of survivors and victims. Ali Nassar, a resident who survived the blast, expressed outrage over the attack's scale, questioning Israel’s tactics: “Even if one person is hiding here… Should you destroy buildings where people are sleeping? Is it necessary to kill all the people for one person?”
Israeli media reported that the operation targeted Mohammed Haydar, a senior Hezbollah leader. However, Hezbollah MP Amin Sherri denied that any senior leaders were present at the site, and Haydar’s status remains unknown. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has yet to comment on the incident, though Lebanese outlets suggested the strike involved a “bunker buster” bomb, often used for high-profile targets.
This attack was part of a series of airstrikes across Lebanon on Saturday. Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut were also hit, while additional strikes in Baalbek left 15 dead, including four children, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The escalation has heightened international calls for a ceasefire. Diplomatic efforts, led by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, are underway to secure a 60-day truce, an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and increased Lebanese military presence. However, disagreements over monitoring and timelines remain obstacles to a resolution.
The violence has severely impacted Lebanon, with more than 3,670 civilians killed and over a million displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese authorities. Saturday’s Basta attack has intensified the strain on Lebanon’s fragile political and economic situation, as the country grapples with escalating civilian casualties and widespread displacement.
Meanwhile, Israel has also faced disruptions, with thousands of residents in its northern regions evacuated due to ongoing Hezbollah rocket fire, underscoring the conflict’s toll on both sides of the border.
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