Israeli Airstrikes In Central Beirut Leave 18 Dead, 92 Injured Amid Ongoing Conflict

Israeli airstrikes in central Beirut on Thursday resulted in at least 18 deaths and 92 injuries, according to Lebanese health officials.

The Health Ministry reported significant damage to a residential building, with another structure completely collapsing.

The Israeli military has not commented on these attacks, which align with its expanded operations against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Earlier, Israeli strikes targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah operates. However, attacks deeper into the city are uncommon.

An Associated Press photographer noted that the first strike hit the lower part of an eight-story building in Ras al-Nabaa, causing ongoing explosions. Numerous ambulances responded to the scene.

Impact on Gaza and UN Peacekeepers

In Gaza, an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced individuals killed at least 27 people, including a child and seven women.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted a militant command centre within the school but did not provide evidence. Witnesses stated that aid workers were meeting in the room at the time of the strike.

The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon reported an Israeli tank firing on its headquarters in Naqoura, injuring two peacekeepers.

This incident led to widespread condemnation and prompted Italy's Defence Ministry to summon Israel's ambassador. The Israeli military acknowledged firing at the UN base and instructed peacekeepers to "remain in protected spaces."

Casualties and Ongoing Conflict

Lebanon's crisis response unit stated that prior to the Beirut strikes, Israeli shellfire and airstrikes had killed 28 people and injured 113.

Since the war began last October, 2,169 people have died and 10,212 have been wounded in Lebanon. In northern Israel, Hezbollah attacks have resulted in 28 civilian deaths and 39 soldier fatalities since last October.

In Gaza's Deir al-Balah city, ambulances transported bodies to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following an Israeli strike.

The hospital confirmed 27 fatalities from this attack. Witnesses reported that no police were present during the strike, contradicting Israel's claim of targeting militants.

Humanitarian Concerns and Displacement

The Palestinian branch of Terre des Hommes stated that members of its children's health team died in the school strike but did not specify numbers.

Iftikhar Hamouda, a displaced resident from northern Gaza, expressed frustration over constant bombings in various locations, questioning where safety could be found.

Hamas continues its offensive against Israeli forces over a year after their October 7 attack on southern Israel initiated the conflict.

That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and around 250 abductions by militants. Currently, about 100 captives remain held by Hamas.

Local health authorities report over 42,000 Palestinian deaths due to Israel's offensive, with women and children comprising more than half of these fatalities. The war has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its 2.3 million residents multiple times.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified regional tensions. As violence escalates, humanitarian concerns grow amid widespread destruction and displacement across affected areas.