Israel faces growing condemnation over its attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon – with the UN saying its staff are “increasingly in jeopardy”. It comes amid rescue efforts after least 22 people were killed in an Israeli attack on Beirut. Listen below to The World podcast while you scroll.
Rescue efforts under way after Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings in Beirut kill at least 22
As we have been reporting, airstrikes on central Beirut yesterday left two neighbourhoods smouldering, killed 22 people and wounded dozens, Lebanon’s health ministry said.
The strikes also further escalated Israel’s bloody conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
The air raid on central Beirut – the deadliest in more than a year of war – apparently targeted two residential buildings in separate neighbourhoods simultaneously, according to an AP photographer at the scene.
It brought down one apartment building and wiped out the lower floors of the other.
The Israeli military said it was looking into the reported strikes.
Israeli airstrikes have been far more common in Beirut’s tightly packed southern suburbs, where Hezbollah bases many of its operations.
After the strikes, Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV reported that an attempt to kill Wafiq Safa, a top security official with the group, had failed.
It said Mr Safa had not been inside either of the targeted buildings.
Pictures showed rescue efforts taking place this morning in an effort to save those buried under the rubble of the strikes.