Israeli Airstrike on Ramlet al-Baida and Hezbollah Responds with Rockets
The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced the death of at least seven people and the injury of 21 others in an Israeli airstrike early Thursday morning on the Ramlet al-Baida area along the Beirut waterfront, just hours after another attack targeted the heart of the Lebanese capital.
Casualties and Impact of the Strike
The ministry's Emergency Operations Center reported in an official statement that "an airstrike by the Israeli enemy on Ramlet al-Baida in Beirut resulted in an initial toll of seven citizens killed and 21 injured."
The strike caused widespread chaos, as footage circulated on social media showed rescue workers trying to assist victims amid wrecked cars and panic, while hundreds of displaced people sought refuge on the Ramlet al-Baida beach adjacent to southern Beirut after receiving Israeli warnings to evacuate their homes.
Previous Attacks and Expansion of Operations
This is the third attack carried out by Israel in the heart of Beirut since the war began in the Middle East, following an attack on an apartment in one of the neighborhoods on Wednesday and a room in a seaside hotel on Sunday.
In response, Hezbollah announced targeting "the Galilout base, headquarters of Military Intelligence Unit 8200 in the suburbs of Tel Aviv" with a barrage of quality rockets, marking the latest retaliation against Israeli airstrikes.
Israel, for its part, announced targeting ten sites belonging to Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut, as part of expanded operations in response to Hezbollah's rocket attacks.
Impact of the War on Lebanon
The war in the Middle East has extended to Lebanon after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel coinciding with the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the American-Israeli attack.
Israel continues to carry out extensive airstrikes on Lebanon, with its forces advancing into the southern part of the country.
Israeli attacks have so far resulted in the deaths of more than 630 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
