Israel Intensifies Air Raids on Beirut Suburbs, Targets Hezbollah Commanders

AFP

Beirut: A series of Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early Saturday, intensifying attacks on Hezbollah in the wake of a massive strike targeting the group’s command center, which was allegedly aimed at leader Hassan Nasrallah.

According to Reuters, more than 20 airstrikes were heard before dawn as Israeli jets pounded the area. Thousands of Lebanese residents, forced to evacuate the southern suburbs, sought refuge in downtown Beirut, gathering in parks, squares, and seaside areas.

“They want to destroy Dahiye, they want to destroy all of us,” said Sari, a resident in his 30s, who fled his home after receiving an Israeli evacuation order. Many of the displaced rolled out mats on Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square, attempting to sleep amidst the uncertainty.

Hezbollah Commanders Killed in Israeli Strikes

The Israeli army announced Saturday that it had killed several high-ranking Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon, including Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit, and his deputy.

The military’s statement on Telegram claimed that Ismail was responsible for multiple acts of terrorism, including recent rocket launches and the firing of a surface-to-surface missile toward central Israel last Wednesday.

In addition to Ismail and his deputy, the statement reported the deaths of other senior Hezbollah officials, including Ibrahim Muhammad Kabisi. The Israeli military hailed the strike as a significant blow to Hezbollah’s missile and rocket capabilities.

Hezbollah has yet to confirm or deny the deaths of the commanders.

Tensions in the region continue to escalate as both sides trade fire, leaving civilians in Beirut’s southern suburbs displaced and fearful of what’s to come.