In one of the largest airstrikes in recent years, Israel launched an assault on central Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, on Thursday. The strike resulted in 22 deaths and left 177 injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The target was reportedly Wafic Safa, a senior Hezbollah member and Chief of the Coordination Unit, though he reportedly escaped the attack. Israel has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The airstrike on Beirut marks Israel’s most significant offensive in the city’s central area to date. According to The Times of Israel, the target was Hezbollah’s Wafic Safa, a key figure in the group. Safa, however, managed to escape the attack. While the Israeli government has remained silent, the strike’s timing and intensity suggest a strategic focus on Hezbollah, a group long involved in conflicts with Israel.
Just hours before the Beirut airstrike, Israeli tanks targeted a UN building in southern Lebanon, injuring two members of the UN’s peacekeeping force, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Both injured personnel were Indonesian nationals. Since 1978, UNIFIL has been stationed in Lebanon to monitor potential threats and provide humanitarian aid when necessary.
Israel’s actions have raised international concerns, with the UN stating that their bases have been attacked multiple times in the past 24 hours. Cameras and lights at two additional UN bases were deliberately shot at by Israeli forces. In response, Israel claimed that it had warned the peacekeepers to move to safety before the tank shelling.
International Reaction to UN Attacks
The attacks on UN peacekeepers have sparked strong reactions from the international community. Italy, France, and Indonesia have all demanded an explanation from Israel regarding the targeting of UN bases. Israel had previously requested the removal of UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon in September, which was met with resistance.
Currently, there are around 10,500 peacekeepers from 48 countries stationed in Lebanon under the UN peace mission. India is among the contributors, with about 900 peacekeepers deployed near the Israeli border in southern Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar Refuse Airspace for Iran Attack
Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions are escalating as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf nations are reportedly pressuring the United States to prevent Israel from launching an airstrike on Iran’s oil reserves. These countries have made it clear that they will not allow Israel to use their airspace for any attacks on Iran, a move that could complicate Israel’s potential military strategy.
According to Reuters, the Gulf countries are concerned that any strikes on Iran could destabilize the region further, especially concerning oil exports and security. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics as both countries appear to be seeking diplomatic avenues.
Israel’s Iran Strike Plans:
The reports of Israel’s planned strike on Iran come on the heels of a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Security Cabinet. The meeting, as reported by CNN, was believed to be focused on finalizing plans for an attack on Iran, potentially targeting its oil reserves or nuclear facilities.
Earlier in the week, Netanyahu also had a phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden. During the call, Biden reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself but urged caution, advising Israel against striking Iran’s oil and nuclear sites. Biden’s warning followed his earlier statement that Israel should refrain from escalating tensions with Iran, a country that remains a key player in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.