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Israel Resumes Air Strikes on Beirut Amid US Concerns Over Military Conduct
Israel has resumed airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs despite US objections, raising fears of civilian casualties. Hezbollah has warned of expanding missile strikes across Israel.
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-16
Israel Resumes Air Strikes on Beirut Amid US Concerns Over Military Conduct

Israel has resumed air strikes on the Lebanese capital, targeting the southern suburbs for the first time since October 10. The Israeli military jets conducted three strikes early Wednesday morning, raising alarms as the attacks coincide with heightened US concerns regarding Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.

 

According to reports, the Israeli strikes aimed at "combat equipment stored inside an underground warehouse." Prior warnings had been issued to residents in the Dahiyeh suburb to evacuate the area, suggesting an imminent attack. However, eyewitness accounts indicate that the damage from the strikes did not align with the military’s claims of hitting an arms dump.

 

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized Israel for issuing warnings that often come too late for residents to escape, holding the military accountable for civilian casualties.

 

The resumption of strikes comes despite a recent statement from the US State Department, expressing concerns about the scope and nature of Israeli bombings in Beirut. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “We made clear to the government of Israel we had concerns with and we were opposed to” the extensive bombing campaign.

 

Prior to the strikes, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati had received assurances from US officials that Israel would reduce attacks on the capital and that Washington was serious about pressuring Israel for a ceasefire.

 

As of now, at least 1,350 individuals have died in Lebanon due to the ongoing conflict, which escalated last month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire, emphasizing the need for a buffer zone to prevent Hezbollah from being too close to Israel's northern border.

 

Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem responded to the situation by declaring that a ceasefire is the only solution but also threatened to expand missile strikes across Israel. On Wednesday, Israel’s military reported that around 50 projectiles were fired from Lebanon, though no casualties were reported from this exchange.

 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues its operations in southern and eastern Lebanon, with reports indicating at least five fatalities in the town of Nabatieh and 15 others in Qana due to recent missile strikes.
Tagged:

Israel

hezbollah

Beirut

MiddleEastConflict

Lebanon
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