Beirut’s southern suburbs have been the target of intense Israeli strikes for several consecutive days, however on Wednesday morning a cautious calm prevailed, while the sound of Israeli drones was constant in the skies of the capital.
Tuesday evening, the neighborhoods of Lailaki, Haret Hreik and Burj al-Barajneh witnessed Israeli bombardment, resulting in the collapse of four adjacent residential buildings in Bourj al-Barajneh.
The raids came after a warning issued by the Israeli army spokesperson, Avichae Adraee, on his X account who called on residents of the southern suburbs to evacuate “buildings located near Hezbollah interests and facilities immediately.” In the meantime, heavy drone flights were reported above the bombarded region.
On Wednesday morning, Adrae also sent a “message” to the people of South Lebanon, asking them to “be careful.” “The army continues to attack Hezbollah sites in and near your village, and for your own safety you are prohibited from returning to your homes until further notice. You should refrain from heading south, anyone who heads south is putting his life in danger,” as posted on the social media network X.
Also on Wednesday, Israeli forces launched a raid on the city of Saida, killing one person and injuring several others. Israel targeted Khiam with a series of airstrikes, amid reconnaissance drone flights above the caza of Tyre.
The Bekaa was subjected to intense Israeli air force raids starting with the town of Saeeda, west of the Baalbek caza. Additionally, Hosh Barada, Halbata, Ali al-Nahri and Nabi Sheet were attacked.
The Israeli army announced on Wednesday that “two missiles launched from Lebanon were intercepted by air defenses over the Carmel region in northern Israel.” As no injuries were reported, sirens had sounded in Israel’s northern coastal plain, including Caesarea and Zichron Yaakov and nearby towns south of Haifa amid the attack.
In addition, the Israeli Channel 12 stated that “about 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel without injuries.” The same source indicated that “rockets fired from Lebanon, fell in open areas after the last warning in the Upper Galilee.”
Hezbollah
In a late-night announcement, Hezbollah stated that its combatants activated an explosive device aimed at Israeli forces and clashed with them during an alleged Israeli incursion into the southern Lebanese town of Blida.
Furthermore, Hezbollah reported that its fighters utilized artillery and rocket-propelled weapons to engage Israeli soldiers who were allegedly attempting to progress toward the border region of Labouneh at 4:55 am.
In southern Lebanon, a fire exchange between Hezbollah and the Israeli army was reported in the Labbouneh town near Naqoura. Israel targeted Khiam with a series of airstrikes, amid reconnaissance drone flights above the caza of Tyre.
Declarations
An Israeli official told Channel 12 that “any ceasefire will include the dismantling of Hezbollah facilities and its withdrawal north of the Litani river.”
“We are in a position of strength and the ceasefire will be on our terms,” the official added.
In parallel, Israeli Channel 14 declared that “Israel has set conditions for a ceasefire in Lebanon, including disarming Hezbollah and withdrawing north of the Litani.”
On the Lebanese side, caretaker Public Works Minister Ali Hamiyeh mentioned that he received “reassurances” regarding Israel not targeting Beirut Airport. “These reassurances do not amount to guarantees in light of last week’s heavy raids,” Hamiyeh said in an interview with AFP.
Moreover, the advisor to the chairman of Middle East Airlines, Mohammed Aziz, revealed “assurances that Beirut Airport is neutralized from the conflict.” “We are working on this basis,” he said, noting that “the airport is functioning fine, and MEA never risks the lives of travelers.”
For his part, Beirut Port Director Omar Itani clarified that “commercial ships are still arriving at the port,” assuring that “the process of entry and exit of goods continues almost normally given the current circumstances.”
Death toll
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported late on Tuesday that 36 people have been killed and 150 injured in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours.
This latest figure brings the total number of people killed to 2,119, most of whom have died in the past two weeks, according to the ministry.
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