On Saturday morning, the Israeli military carried out several strikes in southern Beirut and eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles across northern and central Israel and the Israel-occupied West Bank.
In Beirut’s southern suburbs, smoke rose and the streets were empty after the area was pummelled overnight by heavy Israeli airstrikes.
Shelters set up in the city center for displaced people were overflowing.
Many families slept in public squares and beaches or in their cars.
On the roads leading to the mountains above the capital, hundreds of people could be seen making an exodus on foot, holding infants and whatever belongings they could carry.
At least six people were killed and 91 were wounded in the strikes against the Hezbollah on Friday, Lebanon’s health ministry said.
It was the biggest blast to hit the Lebanese capital in the past year and appeared likely to push the escalating conflict closer to full-fledged war.
At least 720 people have been killed in Lebanon during the week, according to the Health Ministry.
Speaking at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear he was in no mood for compromise with words directed at the Islami Republic of Iran, which is closely aligned with Hezvbollah.
He said: “I have a message for the tyrants of Tehran: If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place – there is no place in Iran – that the long arm of Israel cannot reach.”
Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused Israel of stoking tensions in remarks reported by state-aligned Iranian news agency Tasnim.
He said: “Israel has been so emboldened by the United States’ support that it is now turning against Lebanon. Just a few hours ago, when criminal Netanyahu was decrying lies and slander and threatening the whole region with more savagery at the United Nations General Assembly, Israel’s military launched an unprecedented attack on the residential area in Beirut. Seven buildings were leveled to the ground.
“They used several 5,000 lb. bunker Busters bombs gifted by the United States in a densely populated civilian part of Beirut. Unbelievable! as you noted in today’s Netanyahu’s statement, the regime is desperate to set the entire region on fire.”
