Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike targeting the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, resulting in civilian casualties. Medical sources reported that the initial toll of the aggression indicates one martyr and four others with varying injuries, due to the shelling that hit a densely populated residential area.
Local sources stated that the attack was carried out by two missiles launched by a warplane without any prior warning to residents, leading to widespread destruction at the targeted site. The raid focused on a residential apartment located near Qalqas Bakery on the vital highway connecting the Al-Musharrafieh area to the airport bridge.
For his part, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the airstrikes were carried out based on direct instructions from him and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The joint statement claimed that the attacked targets belonged to Hezbollah, describing them as facilities used for military purposes.
This field escalation comes at a time when the Israeli army announced the detection of three drones that penetrated northern airspace coming from Lebanese territory. The army spokesman clarified that two drones crashed in open areas in the north without casualties, while investigations are still ongoing regarding the fate of the third drone.
In the context of political incitement, ministers from the far-right in the Israeli government called for an increase in the pace of military operations against the Lebanese capital. These ministers demanded the adoption of a scorched-earth policy in response to what they described as drone threats targeting northern settlements.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that targeting northern areas represents a real test of what is known as the 'Dahiya Doctrine'. Smotrich urged the prime minister to firmly apply this doctrine by destroying residential buildings in the heart of Beirut's southern suburb to deter any future attacks.
In turn, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined the chorus of inciters, emphasizing the need for an excessive response to any violation of ceasefire agreements. Ben-Gvir considered that the southern suburb must shake under the weight of Israeli shelling for every missile or drone launched towards Israel.
These statements indicate a premeditated intention by the occupation government to expand the scope of targeting to include infrastructure and civilian areas in Lebanon. Observers believe that this escalatory rhetoric paves the way for a new phase of direct military confrontation that may exceed the established rules of engagement.
Israeli officials had previously hinted that targeting population centers in the north would be met with a violent response reaching deep into Beirut. Tel Aviv claims that this policy enjoys understandings and support from the American administration, which gives it political cover to continue its military operations.
A state of extreme tension prevails in the Lebanese atmosphere following this raid, amid fears of the situation sliding into an all-out war. Ambulance and civil defense teams continue search and rescue operations at the raid site in the southern suburb, in anticipation of missing persons under the rubble of the targeted apartment.
For every drone or missile, and for every violation of the ceasefire, the Dahiya must tremble.
שתף את דעתך
Dead and wounded in an Israeli raid targeting a residential apartment in Beirut's southern suburb