Israeli airstrikes rocked central Beirut on Monday, targeting the densely populated Zoqaq al-Blat district, home to government offices and U.N. facilities. Two missiles reportedly hit near the parliament and the prime minister's office, leaving at least 24 wounded. This strike marked the second consecutive day of bombings in the area, intensifying fears of a broader escalation in the region as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah surge.
The ongoing bombardment comes as Israel vows to neutralize Hezbollah's military presence in southern Lebanon, accusing the Iranian-backed group of orchestrating attacks in solidarity with Gaza. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues its barrage of projectiles into northern Israel. Monday's airstrikes have added to the mounting death toll, which now includes over 3,500 Lebanese and 77 Israelis since hostilities reignited in late September.
The conflict has displaced nearly a million Lebanese residents, many seeking refuge in central Beirut, making the recent strikes particularly devastating. While the exact targets remain undisclosed, the attacks struck close to vital infrastructure, amplifying calls from Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati for international intervention to end the "destructive aggression".
Diplomacy attempts have gained traction, with the U.S. proposing a ceasefire plan that includes Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah retreating north of the Litani River. However, mistrust and differing priorities between the warring factions make a resolution elusive. Both sides continue military operations, unwilling to concede their positions while negotiations unfold.
The strikes have underscored the fragile state of Lebanon, which is grappling with the consequences of prolonged conflict and economic instability. As ambulance sirens echo through the city, international powers face pressure to mediate a ceasefire before the crisis spirals further out of control. For now, residents in Beirut endure the harrowing uncertainty of war, their city at the epicenter of an intensifying regional struggle.
