BEIRUT: An Israeli attack killed 22 people in central Beirut on Thursday as Israeli ground forces in Lebanon were accused of firing on the United Nations’ peacekeeping headquarters, wounding two Blue Helmets.
The attack on Beirut was the third such attack on the centre of the Lebanese capital since Israel escalated its brutal military campaign last month. Lebanon’s health ministry also issued the updated death toll and confirmed the number of injured had climbed to 117.
AFP footage showed two plumes of smoke billowing between densely packed compounds, while there was no immediate statement from Israel about the nature of the target.
AFP cited a Lebanese security source as saying that a “Hezbollah leader” was targeted after a series of killings of top leaders in the Iran-backed movement. Reports suggest that most Israeli strikes have attacked the south Beirut region, not the city’s centre.
The strike came the same day the United Nations’ peacekeeping force in Lebanon accused Israeli troops of “repeatedly” firing on its positions, including with a tank, leaving two Indonesian troops with injuries.
Italy Condemns Attack on UN’s Peacekeeping Headquarters
Italian Minister for Defence Guido Crosetto, whose nation is a major contributor to the force, denounced the “hostile acts”, which he added “could constitute war crimes”, while Spain described it a “grave violation of global law”.
The US said that while Israel attacks Hezbollah facilities “it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ security and safety”. Israel ground forces crossed into Lebanon on September 30 after recent escalation in the region.
Israel Kills 28 in Gaza
Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on a school in Gaza on Thursday killed at least 28 people, the Palestinian Red Crescent said as the death toll from the ongoing Israeli brutal bombardments since October 7 last year has soared to at least 42,065.
The Israeli strike targeted Rafida School in Deir el-Balah, which was housing displaced people amidst ongoing Israeli bombardments. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, in addition to the fatalities, 54 persons were wounded in the attack. Gaza’s health ministry also confirmed the same death toll.
