Heavy strikes pound Beirut as Israel intensifies Lebanon offensive

Fire and smoke rise at an area targeted by an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb on October 6.

Late Saturday into Sunday, Lebanese media reported a series of intense Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut, including the Chweifat area. According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), five strikes were carried out, four of which were described as "very violent." The strikes targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas, with ambulances swiftly responding to the impacted zones.

The Israeli military had earlier called for residents to evacuate Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs before launching the strikes, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.

Footage showed smoke plumes rising from the targeted areas, with flames and flares lighting the night sky for an extended period. In Sabra, a neighborhood near Beirut’s southern suburbs, residents were seen fleeing, carrying bags, while the sounds of explosions continued in the background. Despite the attacks, air traffic at Beirut’s international airport near the strike zones remained operational.

The Israeli military has acknowledged the strikes, confirming they targeted "terror sites belonging to Hezbollah" in Beirut. Prior to the strikes, Israeli forces had warned residents in southern Beirut to evacuate specific buildings.

Since September 23, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have escalated, killing over 1,110 people and displacing over a million. The violence stems from nearly a year of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, intensified by the ongoing Gaza conflict. Last week, Israeli forces confirmed the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a strike on the group’s stronghold in southern Beirut. There has been no comment on the whereabouts of Nasrallah's potential successor, Hashem Safieddine, missing since a Friday airstrike near Beirut's airport.

The intensifying airstrikes have caused widespread destruction, with hundreds of Lebanese civilians killed. Israeli authorities assert that their military campaign is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities under constant Hezbollah rocket fire. Hezbollah has responded with retaliatory strikes, including missile attacks on military sites near Haifa.

This surge in violence comes ahead of the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, drawing international attention and sparking protests amid concerns over the humanitarian impact on civilians in both Lebanon and Gaza.