Israeli army continues air strikes on Beirut suburbs for fourth consecutive day
Lebanon: As Lebanese authorities consider a ceasefire plan put up by the United States, the Israeli military has carried out airstrikes on the suburbs of Beirut for the fourth day in a row, according to a Friday report by Al Jazeera.
Five buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, including one close to the major Tayouneh junction, were damaged by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said its fighter planes targeted Hezbollah’s headquarters, ammunition dumps, and other facilities utilized by the Lebanese terrorist organization.
Before the strikes, Israel had issued two evacuation orders, causing locals to flee their houses, according to Al Jazeera. Although many individuals evacuated the neighborhood, the evacuation orders gave everyone ample time to leave, therefore no injuries were recorded. However, according to Al Jazeera, human rights groups have criticized the lack of warning provided to people in some cases.
Additionally, Hezbollah had launched rockets against Israeli troops in northern Israel, hitting Israeli positions in Sasa and Dishon in northern Israel, as well as the Misgav Am neighborhood, the Yiftah barracks, and other areas on the eastern edge of the Lebanese town of Markaba.
CNN cited sources to claim that the US ambassador to Lebanon delivered a ceasefire draft to the Lebanese parliament on Friday, indicating that diplomatic attempts to negotiate a truce had accelerated this week.
According to CNN, officials are “hopeful” that Hezbollah will agree to the parameters of the deal and are anticipated to respond to the most recent proposal by Monday. Iran has said it supported Lebanon’s choices in the peace negotiations, according to Al Jazeera.
After over a year of cross-border fighting with Hezbollah and the continuing war in Gaza, Israel’s military has stepped up its operations against Lebanon since late September. According to Al Jazeera, Israel claims that its operations are intended to ensure the return of tens of thousands of Israelis who were displaced by rocket fire from Hezbollah.
More than a million Lebanese have been displaced by the escalation, creating a serious humanitarian situation. Hezbollah has continued to strike Israel with rockets in spite of suffering significant casualties, including the deaths of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders.
According to media report, since October 2023, Israeli bombings on Lebanon have resulted in at least 3,386 fatalities and 14,417 injuries.
