Israeli airstrike kills 9 in central Beirut

BEIRUT -- Nine people were killed and 14 others injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a building in central Beirut on Thursday, Lebanese TV channel al-Jadeed reported.

According to al-Jadeed, the strike hit the Health Authority Center affiliated with Hezbollah in the al-Bachoura area near parliament early Thursday.

TV footage showed heavy black smoke rising from the building after a massive fire that broke out.

The airstrike also caused significant damage to nearby houses and vehicles, with ambulances and civil defense teams rushing to the area to extinguish the fire and transport casualties to hospitals.

The airstrike forced residents in the area to leave their houses, seeking shelters in safer areas.

Shortly before the strike in central Beirut, Israel launched three strong airstrikes on the Haret Hreik area in Beirut's southern suburbs, sparking massive fires.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, stating it conducted a precise strike in the Lebanese capital.

Since Sept 23, the Israeli army has been conducting intensive airstrikes on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah.

Since Oct 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border amid fears of a broader conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip.