Israel Accused of Utilizing Phosphorus Bombs in Unprecedented Central Beirut Strikes Near Parliament
In a series of unusual airstrikes on the city center of Beirut, Israel has been implicated in the deaths of at least nine people. These strikes, which occurred overnight, were perilously close to the parliament building, the prime minister's office, and a United Nations headquarters. The southern suburb of Dayhiheh was also subjected to further strikes, adding to its already frequent bombardment.
The Central Beirut Attack
The central Beirut attack was directed at a building in the Bashoura district. Following the bombing, a peculiar smell permeated the air in the central city area, causing panic among residents and emergency aid workers. This observation was reported by The Associated Press and others.
Al Jazeera reported that residents detected a sulfur-like odor after the attack. The National News Agency, a state-run entity in Lebanon, accused Israel of using phosphorus bombs. However, they did not provide any evidence to support this claim. The Israeli military has not commented on these allegations.
Casualties and Aftermath
Seven of the casualties were members of Hezbollah's civil defense unit, as confirmed by the group. A previous strike on Wednesday had targeted the residence of Hezbollah parliament member, Amin Shari. According to local reports, he was not present during the attack and survived.
Hezbollah has claimed to have launched more attacks against the invading Israeli ground forces in the ongoing intense fighting in the south. This follows a challenging day for the IDF on Wednesday, during which it confirmed eight Israeli troop deaths, with most occurring during a multi-pronged ambush.
Hezbollah's Latest Claims
Hezbollah has reported several recent battlefield successes. The group claimed to have detonated two explosive devices at dawn as an Israeli infantry force attempted to infiltrate the village of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon. They also reported attacking Israeli soldiers with an Iranian-made Falaq missile east of the Sasa settlement in northern Israel, and launching a rocket salvo at a different group of soldiers west of the same settlement.
Hezbollah also claimed to have launched two separate rocket salvos against Israeli forces – one in the Betzet settlement and another in the Avivim village in Upper Galilee. Furthermore, they reported detonating a large bomb, resulting in deaths and casualties, as IDF troops entered the village of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon. Unverified reports suggest that military rescue helicopters were later seen in the area, attending to the wounded.
Hezbollah's Assaults on Israeli Ground Forces
Hezbollah has claimed to have launched six different attacks on Israeli ground forces in the south by mid-afternoon. In response, the Israeli military has reported that its forces have killed approximately 60 Hezbollah operatives over the past day, with aerial forces also having struck over 200 targets.
The Conflict's Impact on the Lebanese Army
At least two Lebanese national army soldiers have been reported killed so far. News wires have also reported that the Lebanese army responded to Israeli fire for the first time since the war began, after a soldier was killed in an Israeli strike on an army center in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon.
The IDF's Evacuation Orders
As of Thursday afternoon, the IDF has ordered an additional 25 villages and towns in southern Lebanon to be evacuated, as the fighting expands. Israel is aiming to push Hezbollah forces dozens of miles north into Lebanon, in an attempt to establish a permanent buffer zone.
Bottom Line
The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in significant casualties and damage. The use of phosphorus bombs, while unconfirmed, adds another layer of complexity and controversy to the situation. As the fighting continues to intensify, the impact on the region and its people remains uncertain. What are your thoughts on this developing situation? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. You can also sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
Israel Accused of Utilizing Phosphorus Bombs in Unprecedented Central Beirut Strikes Near Parliament
In a series of unusual airstrikes on the city center of Beirut, Israel has been implicated in the deaths of at least nine people. These strikes, which occurred overnight, were perilously close to the parliament building, the prime minister's office, and a United Nations headquarters. The southern suburb of Dayhiheh was also subjected to further strikes, adding to its already frequent bombardment.
The Central Beirut Attack
The central Beirut attack was directed at a building in the Bashoura district. Following the bombing, a peculiar smell permeated the air in the central city area, causing panic among residents and emergency aid workers. This observation was reported by The Associated Press and others.
Al Jazeera reported that residents detected a sulfur-like odor after the attack. The National News Agency, a state-run entity in Lebanon, accused Israel of using phosphorus bombs. However, they did not provide any evidence to support this claim. The Israeli military has not commented on these allegations.
Casualties and Aftermath
Seven of the casualties were members of Hezbollah's civil defense unit, as confirmed by the group. A previous strike on Wednesday had targeted the residence of Hezbollah parliament member, Amin Shari. According to local reports, he was not present during the attack and survived.
Hezbollah has claimed to have launched more attacks against the invading Israeli ground forces in the ongoing intense fighting in the south. This follows a challenging day for the IDF on Wednesday, during which it confirmed eight Israeli troop deaths, with most occurring during a multi-pronged ambush.
Hezbollah's Latest Claims
Hezbollah has reported several recent battlefield successes. The group claimed to have detonated two explosive devices at dawn as an Israeli infantry force attempted to infiltrate the village of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon. They also reported attacking Israeli soldiers with an Iranian-made Falaq missile east of the Sasa settlement in northern Israel, and launching a rocket salvo at a different group of soldiers west of the same settlement.
Hezbollah also claimed to have launched two separate rocket salvos against Israeli forces – one in the Betzet settlement and another in the Avivim village in Upper Galilee. Furthermore, they reported detonating a large bomb, resulting in deaths and casualties, as IDF troops entered the village of Maroun al-Ras in southern Lebanon. Unverified reports suggest that military rescue helicopters were later seen in the area, attending to the wounded.
Hezbollah's Assaults on Israeli Ground Forces
Hezbollah has claimed to have launched six different attacks on Israeli ground forces in the south by mid-afternoon. In response, the Israeli military has reported that its forces have killed approximately 60 Hezbollah operatives over the past day, with aerial forces also having struck over 200 targets.
The Conflict's Impact on the Lebanese Army
At least two Lebanese national army soldiers have been reported killed so far. News wires have also reported that the Lebanese army responded to Israeli fire for the first time since the war began, after a soldier was killed in an Israeli strike on an army center in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon.
The IDF's Evacuation Orders
As of Thursday afternoon, the IDF has ordered an additional 25 villages and towns in southern Lebanon to be evacuated, as the fighting expands. Israel is aiming to push Hezbollah forces dozens of miles north into Lebanon, in an attempt to establish a permanent buffer zone.
Bottom Line
The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in significant casualties and damage. The use of phosphorus bombs, while unconfirmed, adds another layer of complexity and controversy to the situation. As the fighting continues to intensify, the impact on the region and its people remains uncertain. What are your thoughts on this developing situation? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. You can also sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
