Israel Resumes Air Strikes on Beirut Despite US Objections

Israel has resumed air strikes on Beirut despite objections from the United States over the way it is conducting its campaign in Lebanon.

Israeli military jets targeted the capital early on Wednesday for the first time since October 10. Three strikes were reported to have hit the southern suburbs of the city.

At the same time, the US continues to support Israel’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza, in which it says it aims to destroy Hezbollah and Hamas.

The Israeli military stated on social media that Wednesday’s strikes targeted “combat equipment that was stored inside an underground warehouse”.

A warning had been issued earlier that an attack on the Dahiyeh suburb was imminent, with residents warned to flee the vicinity of a building marked on a map.

According to Al Jazeera reporters in Beirut, three strikes were heard at about 6:50am in the Dahiyeh area. The number of casualties remains unclear.

(Al Jazeera)

Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from Hasbaiyya to the south, suggested that the damage resulting from the strikes “doesn’t really suggest that it was an arms dump” that was hit.

‘Opposed’

“When it comes to the scope and nature of the bombing campaign that we saw in Beirut over the past few weeks, it’s something that we made clear to the government of Israel we had concerns with and we were opposed to,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said late on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera’s Khan noted: “This has been a period of relative calm in the Lebanese capital … But after five days it’s now back to Beirut and a very serious attack against that southern suburb.”

The same day, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that US officials had provided assurances that Israel would reduce its attacks on the capital city, and that Washington was “serious about pressuring Israel to reach a ceasefire”.

It has also been reported that the US has threatened to withhold weapons deliveries unless more humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

However, the US continues to send weapons worth billions of dollars to Israel, including a missile system and troops to operate it.

No ceasefire

At least 1,350 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel escalated its attacks last month.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire, insisting that would leave Iran-backed Hezbollah too close to Israel’s northern border and that a buffer zone is vital.

Early on Wednesday Israel’s military said about 50 projectiles were fired from Lebanon. No casualties have been reported.

Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continue across southern and eastern Lebanon.

At least five people were killed as missiles struck the town of Nabatieh, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Another 15 at least were reported to have been killed in the town of Qana.

Conclusion

The recent escalation of violence in Lebanon has resulted in significant human toll, with over 1,350 people killed since Israel escalated its attacks last month. Despite US objections, Israel continues to support its campaign in Lebanon and Gaza, which aims to destroy Hezbollah and Hamas.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the purpose of Israel’s campaign in Lebanon?
  • Israel says it aims to destroy Hezbollah and Hamas.
• Has the US expressed any concerns about Israel’s campaign?
  • Yes, the US has expressed concerns over the scope and nature of the bombing campaign.
• Has the US threatened to withhold weapons from Israel?
  • Yes, the US has threatened to withhold weapons deliveries unless more humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
• Is a ceasefire possible?
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire, citing the need for a buffer zone to maintain national security.