Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Thursday targeting an underground bunker in the Dahyia neighborhood of Beirut, where senior Hezbollah leaders were reportedly meeting. Among those believed to be present was Hashem Safieddine, a cousin and potential successor to the recently assassinated Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah.
The strikes produced massive explosions that echoed throughout the densely populated area, shaking buildings across the Lebanese capital. According to three Israeli officials who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity, military intelligence indicated that key Hezbollah leaders were gathered at the location during the attack.
These airstrikes are part of Israel’s broader military campaign, which has intensified on multiple fronts amid ongoing conflicts with both Hezbollah and Hamas. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli forces also conducted an airstrike in Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, resulting in at least 18 Palestinian deaths—a significant casualty count compared to previous assaults.
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The Israeli military has issued warnings for residents in over 20 towns and cities in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, signaling the potential for an intensified ground invasion. In a related move, Israel is deploying a fifth division of soldiers to the border area.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continued, with local health officials reporting nearly 100 fatalities in the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily toll in three months.
Despite Hezbollah’s attempts to retaliate, Israeli air defenses successfully intercepted at least 200 rockets launched from Lebanon on Thursday, with no immediate reports of injuries.
Amid these escalating tensions, Israeli leaders are contemplating military responses to Iran following a missile attack that involved nearly 200 missiles targeting Israel on Tuesday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retribution against what he termed “Iran’s axis of evil.”
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, US President Joe Biden stated on Wednesday that he would not support Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, suggesting a cautious approach to US involvement in the ongoing conflicts. Following Biden’s remarks, oil prices surged amid growing uncertainty in the region.
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