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Israel’s Airstrikes in Lebanon Claim Dozens of Lives

Mirror Insight
November 25, 2024
By Michael Specter

Deadly Attacks Across Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in significant casualties across Lebanon, with a reported 29 fatalities from a single strike in Beirut’s Basta area. The attacks, which Israel claims target Hezbollah centers located in civilian zones, have caused additional deaths and injuries throughout the country.

Tragic Toll in Beirut
The Lebanese Ministry of Health has revised the death toll in Beirut to 29, increasing from an earlier count of 20. The strikes destroyed an eight-story residential building in the densely populated Basta area at around 4 AM on November 23, leaving 66 people injured as rescue teams continue to search for victims.

Casualties in Eastern Lebanon
In addition to the destruction in Beirut, airstrikes hit Shmistar in the Baalbek-Hermel region, killing at least 13 individuals, including four children. Neighboring towns also suffered losses, with 11 fatalities and 32 injuries reported from subsequent attacks. The port city of Tyre was not spared, as five more people were killed and 19 injured in the bombardment.

Israeli Military Justification
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their airstrikes targeted 12 Hezbollah command centers in the Dahieh district of Beirut. These centers were reportedly involved in planning attacks against Israel and monitoring activities related to IDF troops in southern Lebanon. The IDF accused Hezbollah of using civilian infrastructure to conduct military operations.

Ceasefire Negotiations Amid Escalation
This escalation of violence coincides with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein’s visit to the region, where he is seeking to negotiate a ceasefire. Disputes remain over terms, as Israel demands guarantees for the removal of Hezbollah weapons from the border area, while Lebanese officials assert that such demands would violate their sovereignty.

International Response and Warnings
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, citing crimes against humanity. However, the execution of these warrants depends on cooperation from ICC member states.

Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 3,500 Lebanese deaths and displaced 1.2 million people, amounting to nearly a quarter of the country’s population. In contrast, 90 Israeli soldiers and 50 civilians have lost their lives in the conflict.

Gaza Update
In Gaza, the death toll from the prolonged Israeli assault has surpassed 44,000, with over half of the casualties being women and children. The Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 militants, though no evidence has been provided to substantiate this figure.

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