Central Beirut has been hit by heavy Israeli airstrikes
Israel has carried out heavy airstrikes in central Beirut, Lebanese media said, and there are reports of many casualties.
An eight-story building was destroyed by five missiles in the capital city of Basta, according to the National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon.
The Hezbollah news source al-Manar quoted the Ministry of Health in Lebanon as saying that four people died and 23 were injured. Now videos have surfaced that are said to show the collapse of the building.
The Israeli military did not comment on the strike, which was reported early Saturday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a major offensive against Hezbollah in September, carrying out airstrikes and sending troops into southern Lebanon.
Hostilities escalated after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired multiple rockets into Israel in collaboration with Hamas, a Palestinian group that attacked 7 October 2023 in southern Israel.
Israel's stated goal in its war with Hezbollah is to allow the return of approximately 60,000 civilians displaced from communities in northern Israel as a result of the group's attacks.
In Lebanon, the conflict has killed more than 3,500 people and forced more than a million from their homes, Lebanese authorities said.
Earlier this week, an American mediator visited Israel and Lebanon in an effort to ensure an end to the fighting.
Amos Hochstein has hinted that some progress has been made – but has yet to comment publicly on any details.
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