Israeli Airstrikes Level Five Buildings in Beirut's Southern Suburbs
Israeli Airstrikes Hit Beirut Suburbs for Fourth Consecutive Day Amid Ceasefire Talks
The Israeli military launched air raids in Beirut's suburbs for the fourth day in a row, as Lebanese officials reviewed a proposed US ceasefire plan.
On Friday, Israeli strikes destroyed five buildings in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. One of the targeted sites was near Tayouneh, one of Beirut's busiest traffic junctions.
Israeli Military Targets Hezbollah Infrastructure in Beirut Suburbs
The Israeli military announced that its fighter jets carried out strikes on munitions warehouses, a headquarters, and other infrastructure used by the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Al Jazeera’s reporter Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, noted that the Israeli military had issued two forced evacuation orders before launching the attacks.
“[Residents] are forced to leave their homes only to watch the strikes come in and wonder whether or not they have a home to return to. There are no casualties because many people left the area due to these evacuation orders,” Khodr explained.
"Human rights groups have condemned these forced evacuation orders, arguing that they often fail to provide residents with sufficient time to evacuate," Khodr added.
Hezbollah Claims Multiple Rocket Attacks on Israeli Targets
Iran-aligned Hezbollah announced it had fired rockets at Israeli soldiers stationed in Misgav Am and the Yiftah barracks in northern Israel.
In a statement on Telegram, the Lebanese armed group reported targeting another group of Israeli soldiers with rockets near the eastern outskirts of the Lebanese town of Markaba.
Hezbollah further stated that it launched attacks on Israeli forces in northern Israel’s Sasa and Dishon.
Israel Intensifies Strikes on Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflict with Hezbollah
Israel’s military ramped up its attacks on Lebanon in late September following nearly a year of cross-border clashes with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, coinciding with the ongoing Gaza war. The Israeli military stated that its operations aim to ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of Israelis who were forced to evacuate northern Israel due to Hezbollah's attacks.
Israel's Attacks on Lebanon Trigger Humanitarian Crisis and Intensify Conflict
Israel's strikes on Lebanon have forced over one million Lebanese to flee their homes, resulting in a growing humanitarian crisis.
The military offensive has dealt significant blows to Hezbollah, including the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and other key commanders. Despite these losses, Hezbollah has continued launching rocket attacks into Israel, while its fighters engage in ongoing battles with Israeli troops in the south.
Ceasefire talks
Diplomatic Efforts Toward Ceasefire Show Early Signs of Progress
Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire have shown tentative signs of progress this week.
Reuters reported on Thursday that the US ambassador to Lebanon had presented a draft ceasefire proposal to Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, according to two senior political sources. Berri, who is backed by Hezbollah to handle negotiations, met with senior Iranian official Ali Larijani on Friday. AFP later reported that top Lebanese officials are currently reviewing the US proposal.
On Friday, a senior Iranian official indicated that Iran would support any decision Lebanon makes in the truce discussions, signaling Tehran’s desire to see the conflict come to an end.
Larijani Denies Intent to Undermine US Ceasefire Proposal, Reaffirms Support for Lebanon
Asked at a news conference whether his visit to Beirut aimed to sabotage the US ceasefire plan, Iranian official Ali Larijani responded, “We are not looking to sabotage anything. We are seeking a solution to the problems.”
He added, “We support the Lebanese government in all circumstances. The ones disrupting the process are Netanyahu and his people,” referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
World powers have emphasized that any ceasefire in Lebanon must be based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The resolution stipulates that Hezbollah move its weapons and fighters north of the Litani River, about 20 km (30 miles) from the border.
Israel Demands Right to Strike if Hezbollah Violates Agreement, Lebanon Rejects Request
Israel has insisted on the right to carry out attacks if Hezbollah breaches any ceasefire agreement, a demand that Lebanon has firmly rejected.
During a meeting with Larijani, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized the importance of supporting Lebanon's stance on implementing UN Resolution 1701. Mikati also called for an immediate halt to the "Israeli aggression," according to a statement from his office.
Larijani Reaffirms Iran's Support for Lebanon's Government and Resolution 1701
Larijani emphasized that "Iran supports any decision made by the Lebanese government, especially regarding Resolution 1701," according to a statement.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Israel’s energy minister and security cabinet member Eli Cohen told Reuters that the chances of a ceasefire were the most promising they had been since the conflict began.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in at least 3,386 deaths and 14,417 injuries.
