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Beirut, Lebanon – November 23, 2024- A powerful Israeli airstrike shook central Beirut in the early hours of Saturday, targeting the densely populated Basta neighborhood, as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated.
The strike, which occurred at approximately 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), reduced an eight-story building to rubble, killed at least four people, and injured 23 others, according to Hezbollah’s al-Manar television, citing Lebanon’s health ministry.
The blast marked the fourth airstrike on central Beirut this week, signaling a significant expansion of Israel’s campaign beyond its earlier focus on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.
The strike left a wide area of destruction, with neighboring buildings badly damaged and smoke billowing over the city. Footage broadcast on Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television showed a chaotic scene, with rescue workers combing through debris for survivors amid shattered glass and twisted metal.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the death toll might rise as emergency teams continue their search for victims trapped under the rubble. Security sources confirmed that four bombs were dropped during the attack.
Heightened Hostilities in Beirut
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had issued evacuation warnings hours before the strike. IDF Arabic Spokesman Avichay Adraee took to X, formerly Twitter, urging residents of certain Beirut neighborhoods, including Haret Hreik and Al-Ghobeiry, to evacuate immediately.
He warned that the areas housed Hezbollah facilities and would soon be targeted. “Move at least 500 meters away from these areas for your safety,” Adraee’s post read.
Despite the warnings, the Basta neighborhood was not specifically named, leaving residents caught off guard.
The area is not typically associated with Hezbollah’s operations, and the strike has sparked outrage among Lebanese officials and civilians who accuse Israel of indiscriminately targeting civilian infrastructure.
“This is a clear escalation. Israel is expanding its assault into civilian areas, far from Hezbollah’s strongholds,” said a senior Lebanese official who declined to be named. “This is not just a war against Hezbollah; it is a war against Lebanon.”
A Prolonged Offensive
The Basta airstrike comes amid Israel’s intensifying offensive against Hezbollah, which began in September 2024.
The campaign was launched following nearly a year of intermittent cross-border hostilities that escalated dramatically after Hezbollah opened fire in solidarity with Hamas during the Gaza conflict.
The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,400 people, triggered widespread violence across the region, drawing in Hezbollah as a key player.
Israel has since conducted extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, including in southern suburbs of Beirut where Hezbollah maintains its headquarters and key infrastructure.
Several senior Hezbollah leaders have been killed in targeted strikes over the past two months. Saturday’s attack in Basta, however, marks a significant shift, as it targeted a central district far from Hezbollah’s usual areas of operation.
Casualties and Damage
The Basta neighborhood, a bustling area in central Beirut, is home to a mix of residential buildings and small businesses. Residents described the moment the bombs struck as terrifying.
“We woke up to a deafening explosion,” said Ahmad al-Tameemi, a resident whose apartment building suffered severe damage. “The entire building shook. People were screaming and running in the streets.”
Emergency services struggled to navigate the debris-strewn streets to reach the site of the strike. Local hospitals reported being overwhelmed with casualties.
“We’ve received 23 injured so far, some in critical condition,” said Dr. Rana Haddad of Rafik Hariri University Hospital. “Many of the injuries are from falling debris and shattered glass.”
The destruction of the eight-story building left dozens of families homeless, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in Beirut, a city still reeling from the aftermath of the 2020 port explosion and an ongoing economic collapse.
International Efforts for a Ceasefire
Amid the rising violence, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein has been shuttling between Lebanon and Israel in a bid to broker a ceasefire.
After meetings with Lebanese officials in Beirut earlier this week, Hochstein met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday.
While both sides have expressed a willingness to engage in talks, there is little indication of an imminent agreement.
“We are making progress, but the situation remains highly volatile,” Hochstein said in a brief statement to reporters. “Our priority is to de-escalate tensions and prevent further loss of civilian life.”
A City on Edge
The ongoing airstrikes have left Beirut residents living in constant fear. The city has endured three devastating airstrikes this week alone, including one in the Ras al-Nabaa district that killed a Hezbollah media official.
Many residents have started fleeing the capital, while others remain because they have nowhere else to go.
“I have lived through wars before, but this is different,” said Layla Matar, a teacher who lives near the site of Saturday’s strike. “The strikes are more targeted, more destructive, and more relentless. It’s like they’re trying to break the spirit of this city.”
Regional Implications
The intensification of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict threatens to destabilize Lebanon further and risks drawing in other regional actors.
Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, has strong ties to Iran, which has condemned Israel’s actions as an act of aggression.
The conflict also complicates efforts to address Lebanon’s worsening humanitarian crisis, as international aid agencies struggle to operate in a war-torn landscape.
Israel, for its part, has defended its actions as necessary to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
“We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our citizens,” said an IDF spokesperson. “Hezbollah has turned civilian areas into military zones, and we will not allow this to go unanswered.”
Calls for Accountability
Human rights organizations have called for an investigation into the airstrikes, accusing both Israel and Hezbollah of endangering civilians. Amnesty International released a statement urging both parties to adhere to international humanitarian law.
“Targeting densely populated areas constitutes a grave violation of human rights,” the statement read. “Both Israel and Hezbollah must prioritize the safety of civilians.”
Uncertain Future
As night falls over Beirut, the city’s residents brace for what many fear will be another night of airstrikes.
With no ceasefire in sight and both sides doubling down on their positions, the conflict shows no signs of abating. For the people of Beirut, the devastation in Basta is a grim reminder of the high cost of war.