Israeli strike in central Beirut leaves at least five dead

The Zokak el-Blatt neighborhood is home to a large number of displaced people from Hezbollah strongholds shelled by Israel.

For the third time in two days, an Israeli strike targeted a densely populated neighborhood in central Beirut on Monday, November 18, said a spokesperson for the Lebanese national information agency, ANI, confirming information from the AFP. According to ANI, “Enemy planes targeted with two missiles the surroundings of Husseiniyah al-Zahraan [lieu de culte chiite]in the Zokak el-Blatt district”. The toll given Monday at 7 p.m. is at least five dead and 24 injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

An AFP journalist heard two large explosions in this neighborhood which is home to a large number of displaced people from Hezbollah strongholds shelled by Israel. According to the Lebanese daily The Orient-The Daywhich quotes a member of the local authorities, the strike targeted a crowded alley, where a cafeteria is frequented by residents.

On Sunday, ten people died in two Israeli strikes in central Beirut. Among the victims is Hezbollah media manager Mohammad Afif and four other members of his media team, according to a final report from the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israeli army announced that it had struck since Saturday morning “more than 200” targets in Lebanon. Schools closed their doors on Monday in Beirut.

Israel launched a massive bombing campaign and ground offensive in Lebanon against pro-Iranian Hezbollah at the end of September. Since the start of the violence in October 2023, more than 3,500 people have been killed, according to the Ministry of Health, most of them since the escalation at the end of September.