In a devastating incident, an Israeli air strike on an apartment building in Barja, south of Beirut, has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defence agency. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, targeted a structure reportedly housing displaced families and led to significant destruction and chaos.
The four-storey building suffered catastrophic damage, with one side completely destroyed, igniting a fire that complicated rescue efforts. Initial reports from the Lebanese health ministry indicated a death toll of 20, but officials cautioned that this number could increase as recovery operations continue.
The Israeli military stated that its strike aimed at terror infrastructure linked to the Shia militant group Hezbollah. This justification follows ongoing tensions in the region.
Survivor Moussa Zahran recounted his harrowing experience, describing how he managed to rescue his injured family members amid falling debris. He expressed gratitude for their survival while highlighting the dangers posed by the collapsing structure.
Witnesses noted that the apartment building had been sheltering many individuals who had fled violence from other areas. Reports indicate that among the deceased were seven women and three children, including a seven-month-old baby.
As tensions escalate, new air strikes were reported in Nabatieh and southern Beirut on Wednesday afternoon. The Israeli military advised residents to evacuate specific areas due to impending actions against Hezbollah-associated facilities.
The state-run National News Agency reported seven fatalities from a strike in al-Ain village and indicated that Israeli operations have successfully targeted key Hezbollah leaders in southern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah’s secretary general declared that they possess tens of thousands of trained fighters prepared for conflict.
In a show of military capability, Hezbollah launched approximately 120 rockets into northern and central Israel, although no injuries were reported. Local incidents included a rocket hitting near Ben Gurion International Airport, which did not disrupt airport operations.
Since the resurgence of hostilities six weeks ago, the conflict has claimed over 2,400 lives and displaced more than 1.2 million people across Lebanon. The scale of devastation has raised urgent calls for international attention and intervention.
The ongoing violence poses significant humanitarian challenges as Lebanon grapples with a growing number of displaced persons seeking safety and support. With calls for action from Lebanese officials directed at the UN Security Council, the international community faces pressure to address both immediate needs and long-standing regional tensions exacerbated by this latest escalation.
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