An Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut early Saturday, September 21, 2024, has resulted in significant destruction, killing at least four people and injuring over 20 others. The attack, which targeted a densely populated area in the Basta district, obliterated an eight-storey residential building with five missiles, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
The strike occurred at around 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT), causing explosions that echoed throughout the Lebanese capital. Emergency workers rushed to the scene, using excavators to clear the debris under the cover of darkness. Images from the site showed a large plume of smoke rising from the significant crater left in place of the building, with wreckage scattered across the area.
Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed the fatalities, and more than 20 people were reported injured, some critically. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims, but the destruction has deeply shaken the community.
The Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding the airstrike, which comes amid heightened tensions in the region. In recent weeks, Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Lebanon, particularly targeting senior Hezbollah figures, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. This offensive is part of Israel’s broader conflict with Hezbollah, which began in response to rocket attacks launched by the group in support of Hamas following the deadly assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel’s declared goal in the ongoing conflict is to facilitate the return of around 60,000 residents who fled northern Israeli communities due to Hezbollah’s attacks. On the Lebanese side, the conflict has resulted in over 3,500 deaths and displaced more than one million people, according to local authorities.
In an effort to de-escalate tensions, a US mediator, Amos Hochstein, visited both Israel and Lebanon earlier this week to facilitate ceasefire negotiations. While some progress was reported, specific details about the talks remain undisclosed.
The airstrike and its aftermath serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence between Israel and Hezbollah, which continues to devastate lives and communities across the region.