😔 An intense wave of air strikes rocked south Beirut on Friday, leading to the devastating collapse of an 11-story building. The building, located in the bustling Chiyah district, housed shops, apartments, and a gym, making the aftermath particularly tragic.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that five Hezbollah-affiliated paramedics lost their lives in the recent Israeli strikes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ongoing conflict since October last year has already claimed the lives of 226 health workers and patients in Lebanon.
Earlier today, the Lebanese state-run National News Agency detailed how Israeli warplanes conducted multiple rounds of strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs from early morning until evening. These attacks targeted areas close to the city center, including two significant buildings.
The Israeli military stated that their air force focused on Hezbollah positions around the city of Tyre. Targets included an observation post, command centers, intelligence infrastructure, and weapons storage facilities. They also emphasized that their strikes aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah's terrorist command centers in south Beirut.
An AFK photographer captured the harrowing moment a missile struck the 11-story building, causing a massive fireball and bringing the structure down, scattering debris across the busy street. 🏢💥
Since September 23, the Israeli army has significantly ramped up air attacks on Lebanon, escalating the long-standing conflict with Hezbollah. This escalation included a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October.
The Lebanese Health Ministry has reported a staggering death toll from Israeli air strikes, now reaching 3,645, with over 15,355 individuals injured since October 8, 2023.
