An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed at least 20 people in central Beirut, one of the deadliest attacks on the Lebanese capital since Israel’s assault on Hezbollah began in September.
The airstrike also claimed the lives of 13 others, including at least four children, in the villages of Chimsar and Bodai, located northeast of Beirut in the Baalbek district.
The strike in Beirut targeted an eight-story building with four missiles, including bunker-busting types designed to hit underground structures.
A Lebanese security source confirmed the use of these weapons, which have previously been used in strikes targeting Hezbollah leaders.
However, Hezbollah MP Amin Chirri clarified that no senior leader was present in the building when it was hit.
The attack took place around 4 a.m. (0200 GMT), shaking the capital and leaving a large crater.
The smell of explosives lingered for hours as rescuers sifted through rubble in the area, known for its antique shops.
This marks the fourth Israeli airstrike in a week targeting central Beirut, deviating from Israel’s usual focus on the southern suburbs, which are controlled by Hezbollah.
A previous strike had killed a Hezbollah media official in central Beirut.
Israel’s military has not commented on the attack in central Beirut but has continued airstrikes in southern Beirut, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of embedding operations in civilian areas and using human shields, though Hezbollah denies these allegations.
In addition to the Beirut strikes, Israel targeted a Syrian-Lebanese border crossing in Syria’s Homs province, and in southern Lebanon, an Israeli strike killed at least five people in Roum village.
Since the conflict began in September, Lebanon’s health ministry reports that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 3,670 people and injured 15,413. The fighting continues, with diplomatic efforts underway to secure a ceasefire.
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