A view of damaged buildings following Israeli attacks on Laylaki and Haret Hireyk neighborhood of Dahieh region in Beirut, Lebanon on October 1, 2024.
Houssam Shbaro | Anadolu | Getty Images
Israel targeted Hezbollah arms facilities in southern Beirut after the Lebanese armed group fired rockets into northern Israel and a drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s holiday home. Netanyahu was not present at the time, and it was uncertain if the building was hit. However, he labeled it an assassination attempt by “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah” and deemed it a “grave mistake” as Israel gets ready to retaliate for an Iranian missile barrage earlier this month.
The strikes occurred as medics and Hamas media in Gaza reported that Israeli bombardments had resulted in the deaths of over 100 individuals across the coastal enclave, with a tightening siege around three hospitals. The ongoing promises by Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah to continue fighting have dampened hopes of truces in Gaza and Lebanon following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Amidst approaching U.S. elections, Israel is reportedly intensifying military operations to safeguard its borders and prevent its adversaries from regrouping. Israeli planes dropped leaflets over southern Gaza featuring Sinwar’s image with the message “Hamas will no longer rule Gaza”.
Subsequent Israeli strikes on a multi-floor building in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, resulted in the deaths of at least 73 people and numerous injuries, as reported by medics and Hamas media. Israel is investigating reports of casualties from an airstrike in northern Gaza, with preliminary findings suggesting the numbers were exaggerated.
In Beirut’s southern suburbs, heavy Israeli strikes targeted several locations, leaving thick smoke over the city. The strikes focused on Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and an intelligence headquarters command center, according to Israel’s military. Evacuation orders were issued for four neighborhoods within the suburbs, but strikes occurred in other areas as well.
Tens of thousands of individuals have fled the southern suburbs since Israel began frequent strikes about three weeks ago. An Israeli air attack on September 27 resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, with other top figures also killed in nearby strikes.
The United States expressed a desire for Israel to reduce some of its strikes in and around Beirut, as stated by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
New area struck
An Israeli strike claimed two lives on Lebanon’s main highway near Jounieh, with another strike resulting in at least four deaths in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley, including a town mayor. Hezbollah launched rocket salvos in Israel, causing one fatality and multiple injuries.
Hezbollah has engaged in fire exchanges with Israel since the conflict between Israel and Hamas commenced in Gaza last October. Israel initiated a ground assault in Lebanon three weeks ago to stabilize the border region for its fleeing citizens. The Israeli military reported the destruction of tunnel shafts and underground infrastructure in southern Lebanon, along with the killing of Hezbollah’s deputy commander in the Bint Jbeil area.
Since October 2023, over 2,400 individuals have died in Lebanon, while 59 have been killed in northern Israel and the Golan Heights. The Israeli offensive in response to Hamas-led militants’ attack has left more than 42,500 individuals dead, according to Palestinian officials.
The Israeli offensive has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, leading to widespread hunger and the destruction of vital infrastructure. Amid international pressure, Israel and the United Arab Emirates conducted an aid drop into southern Gaza.
Following the death of Sinwar, Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have suggested an opportunity for a truce in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages. However, negotiations for such a deal have stalled. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Israel as part of a regional tour.