More than 10 killed in Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb

By Reuters

October 23, 2024 01:30

Reuters

More than ten people were killed, and five others remain missing after an Israeli airstrike struck Beirut's southern suburb on October 22, reported Maan Khalil, the municipality head.

Rescue teams are continuing their search through the debris near Rafik al-Hariri Hospital.

The Israeli military indicated that their jets hit a Hezbollah target close to the hospital late on October 21, emphasizing that the hospital itself was not aimed at and remained unharmed.

"Old buildings across from Rafik Hariri hospital were targeted by what we can call a heavy airstrike," Khalil stated. "The damage has so far caused more than about 10 martyrs and around 5 people are missing, and the number could be higher."

The Dahiyeh district, a Hezbollah stronghold, has been repeatedly hit by Israeli airstrikes aimed at the militia.

Lebanese authorities report that Israel's operations in Lebanon have displaced over 1.2 million people. Israel claims its actions are intended to eliminate Hezbollah fighters from the border area, allowing tens of thousands of Israelis to return to their homes, which they evacuated due to cross-border fire from Hezbollah in support of Palestinians during the ongoing Gaza conflict.