Israel Intensifies Airstrikes in Beirut as Ceasefire Hopes Hang in the Balance
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Nov 13 (Reuters) – Israeli airstrikes pounded the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut for a second straight day on Wednesday, as Lebanon awaited new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposals. A U.S. official expressed optimism that a truce might soon be reached after more than seven weeks of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
In mid-morning airstrikes, Israeli forces destroyed multiple buildings in Dahiyeh, a stronghold of Hezbollah in Beirut, killing eight people, including three women and three children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The airstrikes also targeted the village of Dawhit Aramoun, south of the capital.
“They used to hit Dahiyeh at night, but now the attacks are happening during the day,” said Hassan Moussa, a 40-year-old Beirut resident. “Things are escalating day by day.”
Israel launched its large-scale air and ground offensive against Hezbollah in late September, following almost a year of cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza conflict.
The Israeli military reported that Wednesday’s airstrikes destroyed nine Hezbollah weapons storage sites and command centers in the Beirut area. In response, Hezbollah fired 40 projectiles into Israel, leading to the deaths of six Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.
Later in the day, a heavy barrage of rockets was launched from Lebanon, triggering air raid sirens across central Israel. At the time of reporting, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from this attack.
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