Escalation in Beirut: Israeli Airstrikes Kill 11 Amid Diplomats' Efforts for Cease-Fire

On a Saturday marked by devastating Israeli airstrikes, at least 11 lives were lost, and dozens of others were injured in central Beirut. These attacks have added urgency to ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.The Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the death toll in the country's capital may rise as emergency responders continue to search for survivors amid the rubble. The ministry further stated that DNA tests are being employed to identify the victims and that 63 individuals were wounded in the assaults.

These pre-dawn strikes, which marked the fourth in Beirut in less than a week, caused significant destruction, including an eight-story building and a large crater in the ground. The escalation of violence came shortly after US envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to the region in an attempt to mediate a ceasefire to end over 13 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Hochstein described his talks with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, as "very constructive," indicating progress in narrowing the gaps towards a potential resolution.

International Diplomatic Efforts Intensify

In parallel, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin engaged in discussions with Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz, emphasizing the United States' steadfast commitment to Israel's security while also advocating for a diplomatic resolution that ensures the safety of civilians on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the ongoing Israeli bombardment has resulted in over 3,500 fatalities and more than 15,000 injuries in Lebanon, along with displacing approximately 1.2 million people—constituting a quarter of the country's population.

Casualties and Impact on Civilians

On the other hand, the conflict has also claimed the lives of around 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians in Israel, due to rockets, drones, missiles, and military engagements in Lebanon. Notably, Israel's military did not provide any prior warning to residents before the strikes in central Beirut and refrained from commenting on the casualties. However, they did issue warnings to residents in parts of Beirut's southern suburbs, advising them of their proximity to Hezbollah facilities earmarked for future targeting, urging evacuation of at least 500 meters away from the designated areas.

The Israeli army reported that it had conducted intelligence-based strikes on Hezbollah targets in Dahiyeh, a region in Beirut's southern suburbs known for its strong Hezbollah presence, targeting several command centers and weapons storage facilities.