Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Saturday, marking the fifth consecutive day of attacks in Hezbollah’s stronghold. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they were targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure, accusing the Iran-backed group of using civilian areas for military purposes. Large plumes of smoke rose from the heavily damaged buildings, though casualty figures remain unclear.
These strikes are part of an escalation by Israel, which has expanded its operations in southern Lebanon and intensified attacks on the Lebanese capital. The airstrikes coincide with revived efforts for a ceasefire. A new US-Israeli ceasefire proposal was delivered to the Lebanese government on Thursday. Authorities are hopeful that Hezbollah will agree to the terms, with an official response expected by Monday. However, Hezbollah has not yet responded.
On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 59 people across Lebanon, primarily in Shia-majority areas where Hezbollah has influence, though strikes have also affected buildings housing displaced families far from the group’s stronghold. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing projectiles into northern Israel, with at least 60 projectiles crossing the border on Saturday.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified in mid-September after a series of border clashes, which began when Hezbollah attacked Israel in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s political leadership is now focused on returning 60,000 civilians to their homes in northern Israel.
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