Israel launches 26 airstrike waves on Beirut suburbs as Lebanon toll climbs

The Israeli military reported Friday that it has conducted 26 waves of airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs since Monday, significantly escalating its campaign against Hezbollah targets in the Lebanese capital. "About 26 waves of airstrikes have targeted the suburb since the start of the battle," the army stated on Telegram, claiming the strikes hit "command centers and multi-story structures" containing "military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah," including an "executive council's command center and a facility storing UAVs."

Lebanon death toll mounts

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday have killed 123 people and wounded 683 others. The strikes have targeted Beirut's southern suburbs—a Hezbollah stronghold—as well as areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, with civilian infrastructure increasingly caught in the crossfire. The toll adds to more than 4,000 killed and 17,000 wounded in Israel's broader offensive against Lebanon that began in October 2023 and escalated into full-scale war in September 2024.

Regional conflict expands

The Lebanon offensive represents an expansion of the wider regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began February 28. That campaign has killed approximately 1,000 people in Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior commanders. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US assets. Hezbollah, as Iran's ally, launched attacks on northern Israel Monday in response to both the Iran strikes and ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, prompting Israel's new offensive and subsequent ground incursion Tuesday.

Humanitarian concerns grow

With 26 airstrike waves in five days and ground forces operating inside Lebanese territory, humanitarian conditions are rapidly deteriorating. The strikes on high-rise residential areas in Beirut's southern suburbs have displaced thousands, while continued bombardment of southern Lebanon prevents civilians from returning to homes near the border. International calls for de-escalation have intensified as the conflict shows no signs of abating.