Zionist forces launch an extraordinary series of attacks on Beirut as ceasefire approaches
In an unprecedented move during the ongoing two-month conflict, the Israeli military has issued evacuation warnings to residents in four central Beirut neighborhoods. This marks the first instance of such directives targeting the city center.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military conducted a significant aerial campaign over various locations in Lebanon, including the capital city of Beirut and its southern outskirts. This development comes as Israeli officials deliberated on a potential ceasefire agreement aimed at concluding ongoing hostilities.
The National News Agency of Lebanon has reported that, unexpectedly, three Israeli airstrikes hit the Noueiri neighborhood in central Beirut. The offensive resulted in the demolition of a four-story building, which was home to displaced persons. The Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed that the attack resulted in 10 fatalities and left at least 35 individuals injured.
Later, the ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes on Beirut resulted in a preliminary death toll of at least 10 individuals.
The Israeli military has issued evacuation notices to residents living in four neighborhoods of central Beirut. This marks the first time such directives have been applied to the city center amid the ongoing two-month conflict.
Israeli military forces launched an airstrike on the Barbour region, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuring 10 others.
The ongoing strikes bear a striking resemblance to the final days of the 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon, when Israeli warplanes executed over 20 aerial assaults on the Southern Suburb of Beirut just hours prior to the implementation of a ceasefire.
At the scene of the recent strike, Hezbollah Member of Parliament Amin Sherri charged that Israel was attempting to “exact revenge on supporters of the Resistance and the Lebanese people at large” amid discussions of a potential ceasefire.
In Tel Aviv, the Israeli security cabinet gathered to deliberate over a proposed ceasefire in Lebanon, a spokesperson from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed to AFP on Tuesday afternoon.
In the aftermath of the meeting, the prime minister is set to address the public in a statement at 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).
The United States and France are leading initiatives to broker a ceasefire as G7 foreign ministers issued a joint statement on Tuesday, urging an “immediate ceasefire” and stressing the importance of concluding a diplomatic resolution.
According to a report by the U.S. news outlet Axios, the proposed draft truce agreement stipulates a 60-day transition period. Within this timeframe, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw as the Lebanese army establishes its presence along the border. Additionally, Hezbollah is set to reposition itself north of the Litani River, situated around 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the frontier.
Israeli media reports suggest that Prime Minister Netanyahu is anticipated to endorse the ceasefire proposal mediated by the United States, according to sources.
Since October 2023, Lebanon has suffered at least 3,799 fatalities, predominantly resulting from Israeli airstrikes targeting civilian areas in recent weeks.
