Israeli Airstrikes Intensify Across Lebanon, Targeting Central Beirut for Second Time
BEIRUT — Israeli airstrikes pounded multiple regions of Lebanon on Wednesday, including a direct hit on an apartment building in the densely populated heart of Beirut, marking the second time the capital's center has been targeted since the outbreak of regional hostilities earlier this month.
The strike in the Aisha Bakkar neighborhood, located near major commercial hubs, sent a fireball erupting through the upper floors of a residential block, scattering debris and shattering windows in adjacent buildings. Lebanese civil defense teams worked urgently to evacuate casualties from the scene.
"We heard the explosion, then everything shook. I grabbed my family and pushed them behind a wall just as another blast hit," said Fawzi Asmar, a bakery owner on the affected street. "This is our home—not a battlefield."
Lebanon has been drawn deeper into the conflict following Hezbollah's retaliatory attacks against Israel last week, which came in response to the killing of a senior Iranian figure in a reported US-Israeli operation. Despite a nominal ceasefire earlier this year, cross-border exchanges have intensified dramatically.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, the ongoing Israeli offensive has resulted in at least 570 fatalities since March 2, including 14 healthcare workers. The latest Beirut strike left at least four wounded, authorities confirmed.
In parallel, Israeli raids continued through the night in Beirut's southern suburbs—a Hezbollah stronghold—as well as in southern and eastern Lebanon. The National News Agency reported new evacuation warnings issued to residents in several districts before the attacks resumed.
The humanitarian toll is mounting rapidly. Officials said Wednesday that nearly 780,000 people have been registered as displaced, with over 120,000 seeking refuge in government shelters. Many civilians expressed anxiety about becoming collateral damage in strikes aimed at suspected militant positions.
"We don't know who they're targeting. Maybe someone involved, maybe not," said Amal Hisham, 46, a resident near a strike zone. "Who do I blame? Everyone and no one."
Meanwhile, rescue workers described operating under constant threat. Civil defense paramedic Samer Knio noted that glass and rubble fell on his team as they evacuated victims from the Beirut strike. "We're trying to save lives while our own are at risk," he said.
The widening strikes raise concerns of further escalation along the Lebanon-Israel frontier, where exchanges of fire have occurred intermittently for years. Analysts warn that sustained attacks on central Beirut could signal a dangerous new phase in the conflict.
Voices from the Region
Maya El-Hassan, Political Analyst, Beirut: "Targeting central Beirut crosses a red line. It's not just about Hezbollah anymore; it's about destabilizing the entire state. The international community must intervene before the country's fragile infrastructure collapses."
David Chen, Security Studies Researcher, Tel Aviv: "Israel is acting against clear threats embedded in urban areas. Hezbollah's integration into civilian zones creates these tragic scenarios. The responsibility for casualties ultimately lies with those who militarize residential neighborhoods."
Layla Karam, Displaced Teacher, now in Tripoli: "This is madness. My apartment is gone, my students are scattered. We're not statistics—we're people whose lives have been erased. When will the world stop watching and actually act?"
Professor James Fowler, Middle East Affairs Commentator, London: "The expansion of strikes into Beirut's core suggests a calculated escalation. It may be intended to pressure the Lebanese government to restrain Hezbollah, but it risks triggering a full-scale war that neither side can afford."