Israel launched a series of air strikes on Beirut on Thursday, leaving at least nine people dead in an attack on a medical facility linked to Hizbollah in the heart of the Lebanese capital. The strikes also targeted a building housing Hizbollah’s media office, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The attacks indicate that Israel is broadening its operations, striking not only military targets but also infrastructure associated with Hizbollah, a powerful political and militant group in Lebanon. In addition to its military wing, Hizbollah plays a major role in Lebanon’s politics and runs extensive social services and businesses.
The air strike on the Hizbollah-affiliated health facility occurred near Lebanon’s parliament, in a densely populated area, making it the most significant assault on Beirut since the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah flared up almost a year ago. According to the Israeli military, the operation involved a “precise strike,” although specific details about the target were not revealed.
In a follow-up strike, Israeli forces hit a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut used by Hizbollah’s media relations team. However, Hizbollah officials reported that their media personnel had been moved from the site earlier, and it is unclear if there were casualties. The area, Dahiyeh, a stronghold of Hizbollah, has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli air strikes in recent weeks, leading many residents to evacuate.
Lebanese health authorities reported that among the nine victims killed in the attack on the medical facility were seven healthcare workers, including two paramedics. An additional 14 people were injured. The Lebanese army, which has not been involved in the conflict, also reported the deaths of two soldiers in southern Lebanon, killed by Israeli fire on Thursday.
Israel’s recent surge in military action against Hizbollah has followed the assassination of the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and the launch of a ground offensive into southern Lebanon. These developments have raised concerns about a broader escalation in the region, particularly after Iran launched a missile barrage targeting Israel earlier in the week. Iran’s missile strike was said to be in retaliation for Nasrallah’s killing, as well as the earlier death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
The United States has expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself, though President Joe Biden has urged caution, stressing that any Israeli retaliation should be “proportionate” and discouraging strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, clashes between Israeli forces and Hizbollah militants have intensified. On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the deaths of eight soldiers and several others wounded in confrontations inside Lebanon.
On Thursday, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to residents of 25 additional villages in southern Lebanon, advising them to move north of the Awali river, which is located about 60 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Israel’s ground offensive and increased air strikes come after weeks of escalating conflict, sparked when Hizbollah began firing rockets into Israel shortly after Hamas’s attack on October 7. Prior to this, Israeli strikes in Beirut had been limited to a single location.
