Israel launched an airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday as it continues heavy airstrikes in Lebanon following a dramatic escalation on Monday.
Israel said the Beirut strike, which targeted the city’s southern suburbs, killed Ibrahim Qubaisi, a senior Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah later confirmed that Qubaisi was dead.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that at least six people were killed and 15 were wounded in the attack, which marked the third time Israel bombed Beirut within one week.
Last Friday, an Israeli strike killed 55 people in the Lebanese capital, including a senior Hezbollah commander and at least three children and seven women. On Monday, Israel targeted Beirut as it also launched its heaviest bombardment of southern and eastern Israel.
Israel claimed the Monday strike on Beirut killed Ali Karaki, the head of Hezbollah’s southern command, but Hezbollah denied the claim and said he was moved to a safe area.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that since Israel began its escalation on Monday, 569 people, including 50 people, have been killed. Lebanese Health Minister Dr. Firass Abiad said the “overwhelming majority, if not all,” of the people killed on Monday were civilians. Israel targeted residential areas, claiming Hezbollah missiles were hidden inside civilian homes.
Israeli airstrikes also continued in southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday. Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets into northern Israel in response to the escalations, claiming it targeted military sites.
Hezbollah also said it used a new rocket, known as the Fadi-3, for the first time. “In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their brave and honorable resistance, and in defense of Lebanon and its people, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance, on Tuesday … bombed the Samson Base (a command preparation center and regional preparation unit) with Fadi-3 rockets,” Hezbollah said, according to The Cradle.
