Israel strikes and destroys building in heart of Beirut An Israeli airstrike has damaged a building in central Beirut, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict. The attack occurred in the Bashoura neighborhood, a commercial area near downtown businesses and hotels. Israeli military officials had issued a warning at 04:00, urging evacuation of the building and surrounding areas, citing it as a facility linked to Hezbollah. As of now, there are no confirmed casualties from the strike. The conflict in Lebanon began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched missile attacks on Israel, supporting Iran’s regional interests. In response, Israel initiated bombing campaigns and deployed troops to southern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry reported 912 deaths, including 111 children, since the war began. Over a million people have been displaced, primarily in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has strong support. However, Israeli strikes have expanded beyond these areas, targeting locations with less direct Hezbollah presence. The building in Bashoura, which was already damaged in previous attacks, has now been completely destroyed. Israel claims it is targeting not only Hezbollah fighters but also financial structures believed to fund the group’s operations. This includes the Al Qard Al Hassan "bank," which has offices across Beirut and has been hit by multiple airstrikes. The Israeli military has also struck hotels in the capital, with some attacks suspected to be assassination attempts against Hezbollah figures or Iranian-linked individuals. In the early stages of the war, Israeli bombing focused on southern Beirut, particularly the Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold. The area has faced relentless attacks, forcing thousands to flee and leaving parts of the city in ruins, described by locals as resembling Gaza.#israel #hezbollah #beirut #al_qard_al_hassan #dahieh
Iran War Live: Iraq Shuts Down Oil Port Operations; Israel Bombs Beirut Iraq has suspended operations at its oil ports following attacks on two foreign oil tankers, according to reports. The strikes, which targeted vessels operated by international energy companies, have prompted regional allies including Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to intercept additional Iranian missiles and drones. The developments come amid escalating tensions in the region, with Israel conducting airstrikes in Beirut and Iran’s president outlining demands for an end to the conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for three conditions to halt the war: recognition of Tehran’s “legitimate rights,” compensation for damages inflicted by Iranian actions, and international assurances against future aggression. These statements follow a series of military confrontations, including the bombing of a Beirut neighborhood by Israeli forces, which killed at least 15 people. The attack occurred days after the funeral of Father Pierre al-Rahi, a priest who died from injuries sustained during an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon. The funeral in Qlayaa drew mourners who criticized the violence, with medics and first responders confirming the priest’s death. Meanwhile, Iraq’s decision to halt oil port operations has raised concerns about the impact on regional energy supplies. Analysts suggest the move may be a strategic response to the attacks, which have disrupted critical infrastructure and heightened fears of further escalation. The conflict has seen rapid shifts in military activity, with Iran and its allies intensifying strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets, while Israel and its partners have responded with precision bombings.#iran #iraq #masoud_pezeshkian #beirut #iranian_president
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces killed a top Hezbollah commander in an airstrike and confirmed over a million Lebanese civilians have followed evacuation orders. According to the defense ministry, the IDF’s Northern Command reported that 650,000 people have left Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, while an additional 500,000 have evacuated southern Lebanon. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for the entire southern region of Lebanon and four major neighborhoods in Beirut’s south ahead of targeted strikes on Hezbollah positions. Katz’s office stated that the commander of Hezbollah’s Nasr Unit, Abu Hussein Ra’ab, was eliminated in an IDF strike earlier that night. The Nasr Unit is one of three regional divisions of Hezbollah operating in southern Lebanon, responsible for the area between Mount Dov and the Bint Jbeil region. The defense minister emphasized that Israel would not retreat from its stance against Hezbollah, stating the operation presented an opportunity to strike the group and impose a “very, very great security” outcome. The IDF’s actions followed reports of Hezbollah’s missile attacks on central Israel, which caused infrastructure damage and injured 16 people. Meanwhile, Jerusalem sought to resume school operations for young children on Wednesday, while other cities awaited similar decisions. The article also noted ongoing efforts to provide accurate coverage of the conflict, with calls for readers to support The Times of Israel Community to access exclusive content and ad-free reporting.#hezbollah #israel_katz #nasr_unit #beirut #lebanon
Israeli forces suffered their most severe casualties yet in southern Lebanon as clashes with Hezbollah escalated, with two soldiers wounded during a military operation near Beirut. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the injuries on Thursday, marking the first major casualties since ground troops advanced deeper into the region in response to renewed cross-border rocket fire. Both soldiers, part of the Givati Brigade, were hospitalized, and their families were notified, though details remain scarce. The fighting unfolded as Israel launched a sweeping bombing campaign in the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah’s stronghold in the Dahiyeh area. The IDF ordered residents of the densely populated neighborhood to evacuate, prompting mass exodus as panic spread. Traffic in Beirut’s capital became gridlocked as thousands fled, with the military specifying evacuation routes. Hours later, air strikes began hitting Dahiyeh, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The operation coincided with reports of Iranian officers fleeing the area, with Axios citing that dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials, including members of the Quds Force, had left Lebanon over fears of Israeli targeting. Lebanon reported a death toll of 123 from Israeli strikes, with over 83,000 people evacuated before the evacuation order. President Joseph Aoun sought urgent diplomatic intervention, contacting French President Emmanuel Macron to appeal for a halt to the strikes. Macron called for an end to the conflict, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to cease hostilities and offering aid to Lebanon. He also emphasized the need for Hezbollah to disarm and support Lebanon’s efforts to assert control over its territory.#hezbollah #iranian_revolutionary_guard_corps #beirut #israel_defense_forces #dahiyeh
Israel launched a large-scale strike campaign targeting Tehran, with state media reporting damage to Jomhuri Avenue, a key street in the capital. Simultaneously, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for nearly all of southern Beirut, home to over half a million people, sparking widespread panic as residents fled amid fears of an impending attack. Explosions and chaos erupted in the area, with witnesses describing scenes of desperation as families tried to escape, hindered by traffic and the challenge of relocating the elderly and disabled. The conflict escalated as Iran sought to undermine U.S. military assets by targeting radar systems, according to satellite imagery. The war, now in its seventh day, has seen Middle Eastern nations intercept incoming strikes, while the U.S. and Israel continue their military operations. President Donald Trump downplayed concerns over rising gas prices, stating he had “no time limits” on the war’s duration and dismissing worries about fuel costs. He claimed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, would remain open despite the conflict, asserting Iran’s navy was “at the bottom of the sea.” Beirut’s southern suburbs, already scarred by previous Israeli bombings, faced renewed threats. Israeli officials warned of a potential repeat of the Gaza siege, with some comparing the area to Khan Younis, a city devastated during the 2024 war against Hezbollah. Lebanese President Michel Aoun imposed a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities, but the group has continued launching rockets into northern Israel, complicating efforts to enforce the ceasefire agreed in 2024. Iran’s retaliation included strikes on key infrastructure, with CNN reporting sustained jet noise and explosions near Tehran.#iran #israel #hezbollah #tehran #beirut
