Israeli air strikes hit Beirut, October 19, 2024
- Israel conducted at least a dozen air strikes over Beirut, resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties.
- Residents were given limited warning to evacuate before the strikes occurred, demonstrating the dangers of the ongoing conflict.
- The violence further exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation stemming from the regional conflicts with Hezbollah and Hamas.
On October 19, 2024, Israel launched at least a dozen air strikes on Beirut in Lebanon, marking the most intense assault on the capital in over a week. Residents received evacuation warnings moments before the strikes occurred, resulting in significant damage, including the complete destruction of a multi-storey building. In the southern suburbs, the air raid sirens returned after three days of relative calm, with thick smoke rising from affected neighborhoods. Concurrently, Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets into northern Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had undertaken measures to minimize civilian harm, yet reports indicated high civilian casualties, with at least five individuals killed in an eastern region strike. Among the deceased was a local mayor. The ongoing conflict has escalated since October 2023, when Hezbollah engaged in cross-border attacks, aligning with Hamas amidst the ongoing war in Gaza that began after a Hamas assault on Israel. US President Biden has indicated potential for a ceasefire in Lebanon, which is complicated by the escalating violence. The broader conflict has taken a devastating toll, especially in Gaza, where casualty figures have reportedly surpassed 42,500 since the war's inception, reflecting the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from these hostilities. The developments in Lebanon further exemplify the complex geopolitical landscape of the region as the conflict continues to intensify and spread. Overall, the situation remains precarious as air strikes and retaliatory actions compound the humanitarian challenges already faced by civilians in the region.