Israel intensifies bombardment in Lebanon; massive strikes hit Beirut
"Israeli enemy warplanes carried out four very violent strikes on (Beirut's) southern suburbs, and one strike on the Chweifat", Lebanon's National News Agency reported.
The increased attacks came as Israeli media reported that the military was prepared for a "significant" attack on Tehran, which had fired over 200 missiles on Israeli sites earlier this week.
Israeli attacks in Beirut on Saturday night sent shockwaves across the city and triggered flashes of red and white for over 30 minutes. Notably, Beirut is regarded as a stronghold for the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
The Israeli military claimed to have killed over 400 Hezbollah fighters since beginning ground operations in southern Lebanon. "Since the beginning of the (ground) manoeuvre, forces have eliminated some 440 terrorists from the ground and the air, including 30 commanders of various ranks," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.
Amid the continued strikes, the Israeli army issued a new call for citizens to evacuate Beirut's southern suburbs. "For your safety and that of your family members, you must immediately evacuate the designated buildings and those adjacent to them and move away from them at least 500 meters," spokesperson Avichay Adraee said.
According to Lebanon officials, Hashem Safiddine, a potential successor to killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has been out of communication since Friday, Reuters reported. In its battle against the Iran-backed Lebanese organisation, Israel launched a major strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday night, likely targeting Safiddine.
- With inputs from agencies
