Israel Bombs Beirut: Escalating Tensions Amid Deadly Strikes
Israel bombed Beirut on Tuesday, targeting a senior Hezbollah commander, Fouad Shukr, also known as Al-Hajj Mohsen. The strike resulted in the deaths of at least two people and injuries to 20 others, heightening fears of a broader conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.
The attack hit the Dahiya district, a southern suburb of Beirut, known to be a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating that Shukr was responsible for a recent rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which killed 12 children and teenagers playing soccer. This attack on Majdal Shams, attributed to Hezbollah by both the U.S. and Israel, significantly increased the already high tensions along Israel’s northern border.
“The IDF targeted in Beirut the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and killed many Israeli civilians,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. However, Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the Golan Heights attack, though the missile used was reportedly launched from a Hezbollah-controlled area.
The explosion in Beirut’s southern suburbs was massive, partially collapsing a targeted apartment building and leaving surrounding areas strewn with debris and broken glass. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency services rushed to aid the wounded. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that three people, including two children, were killed in the strike, with many others injured, some critically.
Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the Israeli attack, calling it a “criminal act” and a blatant violation of international law. “This criminal act that occurred tonight is a link in a series of aggressive operations that are claiming civilians in a clear and frank violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” Mikati said, emphasizing Lebanon’s right to respond.
The United States, which was given advanced notice of the strike, reiterated its support for Israel’s security. “Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad and unwavering, especially as it defends itself against Iran-backed threats, including threats from Hezbollah,” said U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel. The U.S. National Security Council also emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for diplomatic solutions to the escalating violence.
The strike on Beirut has drawn widespread condemnation from various regional actors, including Iran, Lebanon, the Houthis, and Hamas, all of whom warned of severe repercussions. The United Nations expressed deep concern over the strike, urging both Israel and Lebanon to seek diplomatic avenues to de-escalate tensions.
Hezbollah has vowed to respond to the attack, with its officials stating that the group would not remain silent. Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah member of parliament, asserted, “The resistance will not be quiet about an assault like this.”
Israeli officials, while asserting their readiness for further conflict if necessary, indicated a preference to avoid a full-scale war. “Our aim is not for war, but we are well-prepared for it,” said Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
The international community is calling for calm and restraint. The recent Israeli strike on Beirut represents the most significant escalation since the conflict in Gaza began last October, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. With both sides poised for further action, the potential for a broader conflict looms large, threatening the fragile stability of the region.