Lebanon out of peace plan, says Israel, strikes Beirut

Agencies Beirut

Israeli strikes hit dense commercial and residential areas in central Beirut on Wednes­day afternoon without warning, as Tel Aviv said the US ceasefire with Iran does not cover Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, subject to Iran imm­e­diately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region,” an announcement from PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

Israel’s military called Wednesday’s onslaught the largest coordinated strike in the current war, striking more than 100 Hezbollah targets within 10 minutes in Beirut, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa valley.

Black smoke towered over parts of the seaside capital. Booms interrupted the honking of traffic on what had been a blue-sky afternoon. Ambu­lances raced towards open flames. At least one apartment building was struck. Emergency responders searched charred vehicles.

It was unclear how many people were killed or woun­ded, but several strikes were in busy commercial locations, causing panic in the streets.

Israel’s military said it had targeted missile launchers, command centres and intelligence infrastructure and accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields.

Before the wave of strikes, a Hezbollah official said the group was giving a chance for mediators to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon, but “we have not announced our adherence to the ceasefire since the Israelis are not adhering to it.” 

Meanwhile, PM Nawaf Salam has accused Israel of killing unarmed civilians in Lebanon and attacking densely populated areas, particularly in Beirut.