Lebanese Health Ministry reports 11 fatalities in Beirut airstrikes

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has updated the casualty figures from the recent Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut, revealing that the death toll has risen from 8 to 11, with 108 individuals reported injured.

The Israeli Air Force conducted numerous raids across various neighbourhoods, including Ghubeiri, Kafaat, Tahwita, Haret Horeik, al-Leylaqi, al-Merji, Shueifat, al-Hadas, and the Burj al-Barajna refugee camp, Caliber.Az reports via Lebanese media.

These strikes were aimed at underground facilities believed to house rocket weapons and manufacturing centres linked to Shiite militias.

On September 27, the Israeli military targeted Hezbollah's underground central headquarters in Dahiya, a predominantly Shiite suburb of Beirut. The operation was focused on the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who has been at the helm for 32 years. Reports indicated that the airstrikes on Dahiya were the most intense since hostilities began, with Israel dropping approximately 83 tons of bombs on the bunker housing Nasrallah.

Following the initial strikes, Israeli media sources suggested that security services observed increasing evidence of the operation's success. Overnight, the Israeli Air Force continued its offensive against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern and eastern Lebanon, marking a notable shift by urging residents of three homes in Dahiya to evacuate prior to further strikes.

By the morning of September 28, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) officially confirmed the elimination of Nasrallah, along with Hezbollah's Southern Command leader, Ali Karaki, and other military figures. This operation has been designated as “New Order.” The head of Israel's Army General Staff, Herzi Halevi, emphasized that the military's capabilities are far-reaching, stating, “We know how to find anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel.”

Hezbollah has acknowledged the death of its leader in the wake of these events.

By Tamilla Hasanova