Written by Laila Bassam and Riham Alkousaa
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A powerful Israeli airstrike targeted central Beirut on Saturday, security sources said, shaking the Lebanese capital as Israel cracked down on the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
At least four people were killed and 23 injured during an attack in Beirut’s Basta area, Hezbollah broadcaster al-Manar reported, citing the Ministry of Health.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said early Saturday the attack resulted in many deaths and injuries and destroyed an eight-story building. Images broadcast by Lebanon’s Al Jadeed channel showed at least one destroyed building and others badly damaged nearby.
The explosion shook the capital around 04:00 (0200 GMT), Reuters witnesses said. Security sources said at least four bombs were detonated in the attack.
It was the fourth Israeli airstrike this week targeting central Beirut, with the majority of Israeli airstrikes aimed at southern areas controlled by Hezbollah. On Sunday an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah press officer in the Ras al-Nabaa district of central Beirut.
Israel has killed several leaders of its longtime enemy Hezbollah in airstrikes in areas south of Beirut.
Israel launched a major offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon in September, following nearly a year of cross-border clashes sparked by the Gaza war, airstrikes in several Lebanese areas and sending troops south.
The conflict began when Hezbollah opened fire in cooperation with its Palestinian counterpart Hamas after it launched an attack on Oct. 7, 2023 in southern Israel.
An American mediator traveled to Lebanon and Israel this week in an effort to secure an end to the fighting. The ambassador, Amos Hochstein, indicated that progress had been made after meetings in Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday, before meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
