In the wake of an Israeli airstrike on a suburb of Beirut, rescue teams in the Lebanese capital continued searching through the rubble on Saturday for survivors. The attack, aimed at Hezbollah commanders, claimed the lives of at least 37 individuals, according to local authorities.
Among the dead were 16 Hezbollah members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and commander Ahmed Wahbi. This marked the deadliest strike in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified over the past year.
Israel’s military confirmed targeting a gathering of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, asserting that it had significantly disrupted the group’s military leadership. The strike leveled a residential building in a densely populated area and damaged a nearby nursery, killing three children and seven women, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry.
Cross-border attacks escalated on Saturday, with Israel conducting its heaviest bombardment in 11 months in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah launched retaliatory rocket strikes on military targets in northern Israel.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati canceled his planned trip to the UN General Assembly in response to the worsening situation. Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, expressed concerns over further escalation, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution despite the heightened tensions.
Hezbollah has vowed to continue its fight until Israel agrees to a ceasefire, but Israeli forces remain on high alert, particularly in northern communities, anticipating further retaliation. With the conflict showing no signs of slowing down, diplomatic efforts have yet to yield a resolution to the violence.
