A new wave of Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and the town of Qmatiyeh at dawn on Friday, ending a week of relative calm in the capital.
The strikes came shortly after Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents of Ghobeiry, Haret Hreik, and Burj al-Barajneh to evacuate.
Following this alert, Israeli jets launched intensive strikes, supported by low-flying drones, over Beirut’s southern suburbs, alarming residents.
Major targeted areas included Ghobeiry, al-Kafaat, Hadi Nasrallah Highway, the vicinity of al-Mujtaba compound, the old airport road, Tahwitat al-Ghadeer, al-Ruwais, Haret Hreik and Mrayjeh.
The attacks resulted in extensive destruction, leveling multiple buildings and sparking widespread fires.
Aley
In Qmatiyeh, a strike on a residential building killed three civilians and injured five others, including children who were critically injured.
South Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes intensified across southern Lebanon.
Early morning raids hit Chehabiyeh, followed by two more in Bint Jbeil. A direct strike demolished a home in al-Majadel in the Tyre district, while the al-Daqdouk building in Nabatieh was heavily damaged.
In Aitit and Wadi Jilo, local businesses suffered substantial losses, with buildings left in ruins. In Tayri, another home was destroyed by a strike.
Strikes on al-Majadel, Wadi Jilo, Aitit, Chehabiyeh, Bint Jbeil, al-Maslakh neighborhood and the al-Daqdouk building continued throughout the morning, severely affecting residential zones.
Around 3:00 AM, Israeli jets bombarded the Husseiniya mosque in Khirbet Selm and a nearby Ministry of Social Affairs clinic.
Artillery shelling continued in al-Sharabik, al-Naboua, Ras al-Arid and other areas, hitting civilian neighborhoods and intensifying humanitarian concerns.
Beqaa region
On Thursday afternoon, and after Israel warned residents of Baalbeck, Douris and Budai to evacuate, strikes devastated the region, causing civilian casualties.
In Maqneh, where no warning was issued, six civilians, including children, were killed. Baalbeck itself suffered four strikes, one of which destroyed a house in al-Kayyal, killing Zahraa Rustam and injuring five.
In Douris, airstrikes damaged the Qasr al-Ulum neighborhood, injuring three and causing extensive structural damage.
The Baalbeck-Hermel region has now endured over 1,000 airstrikes, leading to 528 deaths and over 1,000 injuries.
Hezbollah response
Hezbollah issued evacuation warnings on Friday to residents of 25 Israeli settlements as it intensified its operations, with reports of increased confrontations along Lebanon’s southern border.
According to the pro-iranian group, ground confrontations with Israel have intensified, with reports of Israeli infiltration attempts being repelled by rocket and artillery fire, resulting in Israeli casualties and equipment losses. Hezbollah's rocket force has launched 655 rockets since mid-September, some reaching as far as Tel Aviv's northern suburbs. The group has also deployed 170 drones, carrying out recent attacks on Israeli military sites. In terms of air defense, Hezbollah claimed to have fired 20 surface-to-air missiles against Israeli aircraft. Hezbollah also reported that these operations have inflicted over 95 Israeli casualties and left Israeli forces resorting to tactics to avoid its range.
Israel
Sirens sounded across northern Israel amid fears of Hezbollah drones. Israeli media reported 20 rocket launches from Lebanon, with some intercepted.
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