
22 killed in Israeli air strike in central Beirut
A family of eight including three children was killed in an Israeli air strike on central Beirut, with at least 22 fatalities and 117 injured reported by Lebanese security sources. The attack was allegedly targeted at a senior Hezbollah member, Wafiq Safa, who has been coordinating the group’s cooperation with Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been in conflict with Israel, which intensified a year ago with almost daily exchanges. Recently, Israel repeatedly bombed southern Beirut suburbs and southern Lebanon, causing hundreds of thousands to flee. On Thursday, Israeli forces were also accused of shooting at UN troops in Naqoura, injuring two. Israel’s military acknowledged conducting operations in the area, advising UN forces to stay in protected places before opening fire.