The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on southern Beirut Thursday night, marking one of the most severe bombardments the city has experienced since the conflict began last week.
This escalation in hostilities coincided with continued Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel.
Israeli forces also blocked a crucial roadway near Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing with Syria, which has been a significant escape route for many fleeing the escalating violence.
According to a source connected to Hezbollah, the Israeli military executed 11 consecutive airstrikes targeting the group’s stronghold in Beirut.
Reports indicate that Hashem Safieddine, who is poised to succeed Hassan Nasrallah as Hezbollah’s leader, was the intended target of the airstrikes. The strikes reportedly aimed at a meeting of high-ranking Hezbollah officials, though the outcomes of the attacks remain unclear.
Witnesses reported seeing massive fireballs and thick smoke rising from the targeted locations. Loud explosions caused car alarms to activate and buildings to tremble.
The airstrike near the Masnaa crossing came after accusations that Hezbollah was using these border crossings to smuggle weapons.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee stated on X, “The IDF will not permit the smuggling of these weapons and will not hesitate to take action if required, as it has throughout this war.”
Lebanon’s transport minister, Ali Hamieh, confirmed that an Israeli strike impacted Lebanese territory near the border crossing, creating a significant crater.
Over the past ten days, more than 300,000 people—primarily Syrians—have reportedly fled from Lebanon into Syria to escape the intensifying bombardments. Earlier in the week, Israel had already targeted a road close to Nabatieh.
The Israeli military has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents from 20 additional towns in southern Lebanon as its incursions continue.
Safieddine, who leads Hezbollah’s executive council, is viewed as the likely successor to Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh last week.
Previously, figures in Hezbollah’s political hierarchy were not seen as targets for Israeli strikes during wartime.
On the same day, an Israeli airstrike struck a building housing Hezbollah’s media relations office in southern Beirut. Another strike earlier that evening targeted a warehouse near Beirut’s airport.
In recent days, Israel has initiated “ground raids” in parts of southern Lebanon after heavy bombardment of Hezbollah positions throughout the country.
This increase in attacks follows an Iranian missile strike on Israel earlier this week.
President Joe Biden was optimistic that an all-out war in the Middle East could still be avoided, although he acknowledged that much work remained.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is set to lead Friday prayers and deliver a sermon that may clarify Iran’s intentions following the missile attack on Israel. This sermon is particularly significant, occurring just days before the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Khamenei’s sermon follows a commemoration for Nasrallah and comes amid claims from Iran that their missile attack was executed in “self-defence,” with warnings of further retaliation if provoked.
Iran has also cautioned the U.S. against intervening, threatening severe consequences for any involvement.
In response to the missile fire, Biden indicated that discussions regarding potential Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities were underway.
Following the latest airstrikes, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived safely in Beirut for discussions with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah.
