Beirut [Lebanon], November 25 – A series of devastating Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon has killed dozens, including 29 casualties from a strike that leveled a multi-story residential building in Beirut’s densely populated Basta area. The strikes are part of Israel’s continued military campaign against Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging heavy blows amidst calls for a ceasefire.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that 12 Hezbollah command centers in Beirut’s Dahieh suburb were targeted. These included facilities linked to Hezbollah’s Intelligence Unit, coast-to-sea missile unit, and Unit 4400, which coordinates weapon smuggling from Iran through Syria to Lebanon. The IDF stated these centers were used to “plan, command, and execute terrorist attacks against Israel” and to monitor activity against IDF troops in southern Lebanon.
Casualties and Escalation
The Lebanese Ministry of Health revised the death toll on Sunday, initially reporting 20 fatalities but later confirming higher numbers as rescue teams worked through the weekend. The strike in Basta is one of the deadliest in central Beirut in recent weeks. Despite Israeli efforts to issue evacuation warnings, the bombing caused significant civilian casualties, underscoring the heavy toll of the ongoing conflict.
Nationwide Airstrikes
The strikes in Beirut were part of a broader campaign that has affected multiple regions in Lebanon:
- Baalbek-Hermel Region (Eastern Lebanon): At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in an airstrike on Shmistar, with 13 others injured. Additional strikes in nearby towns resulted in 11 more deaths and 32 injuries.
- Tyre (Southern Lebanon): Israeli bombardments killed five people and injured 19 others.
Since September, Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of numerous Hezbollah commanders and caused extensive damage to key infrastructure across southern Lebanon, leaving over 3,000 dead and displacing more than one million people, according to the United Nations.
Escalating Tensions and Regional Impact
The strike on Basta follows last Sunday’s airstrike in Beirut, which killed a senior Hezbollah spokesperson. Despite ongoing international efforts to mediate a ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes continue to intensify, with the IDF focusing on dismantling Hezbollah’s operational capabilities.
The humanitarian toll has been immense, with widespread destruction and displacement affecting thousands of civilians across Lebanon. Efforts by rescue teams continue, but the situation remains dire, with no signs of de-escalation in sight.
