Tensions have escalated dramatically in Lebanon as Israeli airstrikes hit the heart of the capital, Beirut, for the first time in years. The strike, which took place in the early hours of Monday, targeted the Kola bridge area in central Beirut, a zone previously considered safe from the ongoing hostilities. Lebanese media reported that the attack killed at least three people, identified as members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The bombardment marks a significant escalation, with Israel appearing to disregard traditional boundaries, signaling that no areas are off-limits in its campaign.
Over the last 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have devastated Lebanon, killing at least 105 people and injuring 359, according to Lebanese health officials. The attacks have spread across the country, including southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israeli officials have stated that their primary targets were Hezbollah military sites, though Lebanese politicians condemned the strikes as a “massacre,” with many civilian casualties reported.
In addition to the Beirut strike, Israeli bombardments have caused significant destruction elsewhere in the country. On Sunday, an airstrike flattened two residential buildings in Ain al-Delb near Sidon, killing 32 people, including displaced families. Another attack in the southern el-Buss refugee camp killed Fateh Sharif, the Hamas commander in Lebanon, along with his family members. These strikes follow the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah during a series of Israeli raids on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which left several buildings destroyed.
Despite the high-profile killings, Hezbollah has continued its military operations against Israel. The group launched several attacks on Israeli bases and a rocket strike targeting the city of Safad. Israel, meanwhile, has intensified its offensive since launching a major bombing campaign on September 23 aimed at pushing Hezbollah away from its borders. Hundreds of people have been killed in the offensive, which has left large parts of southern Lebanon in ruins.
The ongoing violence has led to a mass displacement crisis, with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati reporting that as many as one million people have been forced to flee their homes. Thousands have sought refuge in designated shelters or with friends and relatives, while many remain displaced and in fear, living in temporary conditions across Beirut and other cities. The situation remains highly volatile as the conflict continues to escalate.
