In a recent interview, a spokesperson from the Lebanese health ministry shared alarming details about an Israeli airstrike that occurred near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in southern Beirut. “At least 13 people, including a child, have lost their lives, and 57 others were injured—seven of them critically. The airstrike destroyed three buildings located just 50 meters from the hospital,” the spokesperson reported.
The attack on Monday night is part of a troubling trend, with the health ministry noting that it was one of at least 13 reported strikes across the capital. “This strike has caused significant damage to the hospital,” they added.
In response, the Israeli military stated it targeted a Hezbollah position near the hospital and insisted that the hospital’s operations were unaffected. However, they did issue a warning approximately 15 minutes before the strikes, though notably, the area around the hospital was not among those specified.
A BBC producer, who was close to the scene, described the chaos: “A loud bang sent people running for cover. Paramedics and firefighters quickly rushed to assist locals who were in distress.”
On Tuesday morning, rescuers were seen sifting through the debris, using shovels and their bare hands to search for survivors. “We have no idea how many people might still be trapped under all this rubble,” one rescuer stated. As they worked, the tension escalated, with one BBC team witnessing the recovery of a body and the location of another.
Residents in the area noted the airstrike coincided with the arrival of a car, but many were unable to identify its occupants. Videos captured during the strikes show frightened locals fleeing on foot and in vehicles as the aerial bombardments unfolded.
One targeted site was just 400 meters from Beirut’s only functioning commercial airport, where local media reported windows blown out by the shockwaves. The Israeli military asserted that its forces were dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, claiming responsibility for striking weapons storage facilities and command centers. “Some targets were underground, containing equipment for terror operations,” they stated without revealing specifics about their locations.
The military also claimed to have found a Hezbollah bunker beneath Sahel hospital in Haret Hreik, later evacuated for safety. However, doctors at the hospital refuted these claims, taking reporters on a tour to demonstrate that no such facility existed beneath their building. “We’re dedicated to helping people. This hospital is private and has no ties to militancy,” said Dr. Walid Alameh, the medical director.
As the situation continues to evolve, there are concerns that Israel’s military focus may be shifting beyond immediate threats to Hezbollah’s infrastructure. This past Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made it clear they would also target Hezbollah’s financial networks. Israeli airstrikes hit branches associated with Hezbollah in southern Beirut and neighboring regions, with claims that these entities are utilized for Iran-backed military funding.
While addressing the ongoing conflict, U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein has emphasized the need for a negotiated resolution, expressing concern that Lebanon’s future should not be tied to regional conflicts. He urged that a “comprehensive agreement” should align with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which aimed to establish southern Lebanon free of armed personnel save for those belonging to the state and a UN peacekeeping force.
Despite these discussions, Hezbollah carried out additional rocket fire into northern Israel, reporting that by late Monday, 170 projectiles had crossed the border. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 2,400 fatalities in Lebanon, with 1,800 occurring in the past five weeks, according to health ministry reports. Israeli officials have confirmed 59 deaths in northern Israel and the Golan Heights since the conflict escalated following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023.
