Israel attacks Lebanon, Hezbollah counterattacks

(CLO) The Israeli army carried out a series of heavy airstrikes on the southern part of Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday, targeting an area controlled by Hezbollah forces.

It was seen as one of Israel's most powerful daytime attacks there, with air strikes also taking place in central Lebanon, killing more than 20 people.

Smoke rises from buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari

Thick black smoke rose from Beirut as about a dozen strikes hit southern areas of the capital from mid-morning. After alerting residents via media channels, the Israeli military said it had struck Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut, destroying most of the group's weapons and missile facilities.

In northern Israel, two civilians were killed in the city of Nahariya when a residential building was hit. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a military base near Nahariya. Alerts and shelters were in place across northern Israel due to the threat of drone attacks.

In Mount Lebanon province, located in central Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed eight people in the village of Baalchmay, southeast of Beirut, and 15 people in the village of Joun in the Chouf district. Attacks also caused casualties in southern and northeastern Lebanon, including the towns of Nabatieh, Tyre and Hermel.

The escalation in Lebanon stems from the war in Gaza, which has heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes and ground attacks since September, targeting areas in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah facilities. These attacks have killed thousands of people, mostly civilians, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health .

Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have so far failed. As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January 2025, Israel hopes the new administration will not pressure Israel to limit its conflict with Hezbollah.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-tan-cong-lebanon-hezbollah-phan-cong-post321119.html