Israel Bombards Hizbullah Stronghold in Beirut, Three Killed

Israeli strikes have once again shaken southern Beirut. Missiles hitting the area known as a Hizbullah stronghold killed at least three people and injured 15 others, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that remains in effect. The attack was carried out as retaliation for fire directed at Israeli territory in the morning. This exchange of attacks has reignited the situation even though both parties are still in a ceasefire period. The Israel Defence Forces said they struck Hizbullah targets in southern Beirut in response to Hizbullah fire into Israeli territory. Circulating images show damage to an apartment building in the Dahiyeh area, a strong Hizbullah base in southern Beirut. Israel last launched an attack on Beirut a week ago. At that time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his country would not remain silent in the face of attacks targeting Israeli territory. “We will not allow shooting at our territory or at our communities, and we will act accordingly.” Earlier this month, the United States mediated a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Under the agreement, Israel committed not to target Beirut as long as Hizbullah did not attack Israeli civilians. However, Hizbullah rejected the new deal. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Civil Defence Agency stated it had recovered three bodies after the Israeli strike hit the Ghoebeiry area in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The agency said search, rescue and debris clearance operations were still ongoing at the scene. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported at least 15 people were injured in the attack. Besides causing casualties, the strike also caused significant damage to buildings and shops in the surrounding area.