22 Killed in Deadliest Israeli Attack on Central Beirut Since War Began

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Facts

  • Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least 22 people in Beirut on Thursday, marking the deadliest attack on the city center since the war began. The strikes hit a residential area of apartment buildings and small stores.[1]
  • In addition to the fatalities, the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon reported that 117 people were injured. After the attacks, many residents left their apartments and gathered in courtyards as emergency personnel arrived.[2]
  • The strike was presumably directed at Hezbollah's coordination unit chief, Wafiq Safa, who works with Lebanon's security agencies, according to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar TV. The TV broadcaster reported Safa was not in any of the buildings.[3]
  • The US State Department stated that it supports Israel's right to defend itself but called on Israel to ensure the safety of the civilian population during military operations, with a specific focus on densely populated Beirut.[4]
  • In southern Lebanon, Israeli troops reportedly opened fire on peacekeepers from the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), injuring two Indonesian troops in an attack that received widespread condemnation and saw Italy's Defense Ministry summon Israel’s ambassador.[5]
  • Israel acknowledged that it had engaged "next to a UNIFIL base" but said it had ordered the peacekeepers to “remain in protected spaces." The total number of casualties in Lebanon is currently 2,169 killed and 10,212 wounded since last October, according to Lebanon's crisis response unit.[1][6]

Sources: [1]The Guardian, [2]Al Jazeera, [3]DW, [4]CNN, [5]Time and [6]PBS NewsHour.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The New York Times. Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US is not directly involved and tries to use its influence over Israel to encourage it to act responsibly when operating in Lebanon. Israel has every right to respond to Hezbollah's daily terror attacks along its northern border. However, it is in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The Jerusalem Post. Israel is fighting an existential multi-front war, yet the US and its media refuse to give it a fair shake. As Israel battles Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza while mulling how to respond to a direct Iranian attack, the US is working to restrict Israel's actions by meddling in its internal politics. Israel must make clear to the US that it will take whatever action it deems necessary.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. It's clear that Israel has the same goals in Lebanon that it has had in Gaza — the forced displacement of the civilian population. Indeed, Israel seeks to spread terror among the Lebanese people to punish them for standing with Gaza. Israel has provided no evidence to justify the myriad of strikes it has carried out in Lebanon, and its actions simply serve to terrorize the civilian population.
  • Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by Al Mayadeen. This is a clear example of terrorism and a disregard for human life by Israel. Hezbollah opened a support front with Israel to stand in solidarity with Gaza, which has faced a genocidal Israeli campaign. Its attacks will end when Israel withdraws from Gaza. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression.

Predictions