Israel said it carried out a “targeted strike” on a suburb of Beirut on Friday, following a massive rocket attack by Hezbollah on northern Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing cross-border conflict.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike on Beirut but provided no immediate details. Explosions were heard in the city’s southern suburbs, an area known as Dahiyeh. Al-Mayadeen TV reported that a drone fired several missiles on the heavily populated area.
This action came in response to Hezbollah launching approximately 140 rockets at northern Israel earlier on Friday. The militant group said the attack targeted multiple sites along the border, including air defense bases and an Israeli armored brigade headquarters.
The Israeli military reported that 120 missiles were fired at areas in the Golan Heights, Safed, and Upper Galilee, with some intercepted. Another 20 missiles were directed at Meron and Netua. Fire crews worked to extinguish blazes caused by falling debris.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had vowed to retaliate against Israel for recent attacks on the group’s communication devices, which killed at least 20 people and injured thousands when pagers and walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The escalation follows Israel’s movement of a powerful fighting force to its northern border and the designation of returning displaced residents to northern Israel as an official war goal.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinian authorities reported 15 people killed overnight in Israeli attacks, including six in a strike on a family home in Gaza City. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, with more than 95,000 wounded.
As tensions continue to rise, concerns grow about the potential for a wider regional conflict. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, urging restraint from all parties involved.
