Lebanon’s health ministry has called for the evacuation of hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs due to heavy Israeli strikes in the area. Hospitals in unaffected areas have been asked to stop admitting non-urgent cases in order to make room for patients from the evacuated hospitals. The ministry has yet to provide an updated toll for the strikes.
A wave of air raids hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early on Saturday, targeting Hezbollah after a massive strike on the movement’s command center. Thousands of Lebanese fled their homes and congregated in public spaces as the air raids continued. Israel reported that projectiles from Lebanon had crossed into Israeli territory, some of which were intercepted.
The escalating conflict has raised fears of a wider war involving Iran, Hezbollah’s backer, and the United States. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed six dead and 91 injured in the initial attack, with more casualties expected. Israel targeted specific buildings in southern Beirut, prompting evacuations.
Hezbollah responded with rocket attacks on Israeli cities, including Safed, and announced more attacks. Israeli media reported the strikes in Beirut as an attempt to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The IDF claimed to have killed the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit and other senior members in southern Lebanon.
The strikes followed a bellicose speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN, where he declared Israel’s determination to crush militants in Gaza and Lebanon. Global leaders called for a ceasefire in the region, with thousands protesting in Iranian cities and the Yemeni capital against the Israeli attacks. United States President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to reassess American forces in the Middle East in response to the escalating crisis.
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