Strikes Hit South Beirut After Israeli Evacuation Orders

AFP/APP

Beirut: At least 10 airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early Friday, the Lebanese National News Agency reported, following Israeli army evacuation orders for buildings in the area.

AFPTV footage showed explosions and rising smoke across the city’s suburbs after the Israeli military instructed evacuations from buildings in Hezbollah’s stronghold. “The raids caused massive destruction in targeted areas, leveling dozens of buildings and sparking fires,” the NNA reported.

Israeli warplanes targeted Ghobeiry, Al-Kafaat, Sayyed Hadi Highway, areas surrounding the Al-Mujtaba Complex, and the old airport road, as part of ongoing bombardments of southern Beirut. Friday’s airstrikes follow a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US officials, discussing a possible end to the conflict, as death tolls rise on both sides.

Since Israel began airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds on September 23, at least 1,829 people have died in Lebanon, according to Lebanese health ministry figures, though the true toll may be higher.