Early Friday airstrikes on Dahiyeh, following a four-day period with no reported strikes in the suburb, destroyed dozens of buildings and sparked fires in the area. Israel’s air force pounded Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight, destroying dozens of buildings in several neighborhoods. Several hours after the strikes, smoke was still rising from the rubble of some of the collapsed structures. Lebanon’s state-run news agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 24 people in the country’s northeast on Friday, raising the death toll from eight fatalities reported earlier there. Lebanese officials have not yet released casualty figures from the Dahiyeh strikes.Despite growing pressure from the United States and others in the international community for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, intensified Israeli strikes against the Hezbollah militant group are expanding beyond Lebanon’s periphery.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said more than 2,800 people have been killed and 13,000 wounded since 8 October 2023, when Hezbollah began firing rockets almost daily into Israel, drawing retaliation. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon at the start of last month. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza during the year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas, without specifying how many of the casualties were civilians or combatants. The war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting 250 others. The conflict between Israel and militant groups in the region has escalated with devastating consequences for the civilians on all sides.
The ongoing conflict in the region has attracted global attention, with human rights organizations and governments urging for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and destruction. The United States and other international actors have been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence and resume peaceful negotiations between the parties involved. Despite these efforts, the violence shows no signs of abating, with continued airstrikes and rocket attacks claiming more lives and displacing thousands of people.
The situation in Lebanon, particularly in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, remains dire as the Israeli airstrikes have left a trail of destruction and death. The indiscriminate targeting of civilian infrastructure and residential buildings has resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement of families who are now left homeless and vulnerable. The international community must step up its efforts to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict and work towards a lasting solution that addresses the root causes of the violence.
The toll of casualties and destruction in both Lebanon and Gaza is a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region. The loss of innocent lives and the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire is a tragedy that must be addressed with urgency and compassion. As the violence escalates and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community must prioritize the protection of civilians and the delivery of essential aid to those in need.
In the midst of the ongoing violence and devastation, the resilience and spirit of the people in Lebanon and Gaza shine through as they continue to endure and strive for a better future. The courage and determination of communities coming together in solidarity and support for one another amidst the chaos is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. As the world watches in horror at the unfolding tragedy in the region, it is imperative that concerted efforts are made to put an end to the violence and pave the way for a just and lasting peace that upholds the rights and dignity of all those affected.
