Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut outskirts
Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern outskirts of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, early Sunday morning at short intervals, following intense bombardments in the same area the previous day.
The Israeli army claims the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah facilities, AFP reports.
On Sunday morning, after three successive strikes at different locations, a dense white cloud of smoke was seen rising above buildings in the southern outskirts, as shown in footage broadcast by AFPTV. On Saturday, the Israeli army had bombarded the area throughout the day.
Shortly before Sunday’s airstrikes, the Israeli army urged residents to evacuate the neighbourhoods of Hadath, Bourj al-Barajneh, and Shiyah, located in the southern outskirts, stating that these areas were “close to Hezbollah infrastructure and interests.”
The Lebanese National News Agency (ANI) reported that “enemy aircraft” launched a “violent strike near Saint George Hospital” in Hadath, and another strike hit “a residential building (...) near Mar Mikhael Church in Shiyah.”
According to ANI, the Israeli army launched multiple strikes on villages in southern Lebanon on Sunday morning.
Hezbollah, in a statement, claimed that fighting broke out overnight near Shamaa, about 5 kilometres from the border. Hezbollah fighters “set an ambush for advancing Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of Shamaa,” the statement read, describing the clashes as involving “automatic weapons and rockets.”
Israel launched an intensive bombing campaign in Lebanon on September 23 and, a week later, began a ground offensive in the country’s southern region.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
