An airstrike hit Beirut just hours after British citizens were advised to leave Lebanon

20 September 2024 , 15:10

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The strike was conducted on a residential building, its been reported (Picture: Reuters)

Hours after Hezbollah pounded northern Israel with 140 rockets, Israel launched a ‘targeted’ strike in southern Beirut.

Israel’s military said the rockets came in three waves on Friday afternoon targeting sites along the ravaged border with Lebanon.

The Israeli Military wrote: ‘The IDF (Israel Defence forces) conducted a targeted strike in Beirut. At this moment, there are no changes in the Home Front Command defensive guidelines.’

It’s believed the strike was intended to target Hezbollah member Ibrahim Aqil, commander of the Radwan Force. AFP has reported the strike killed him.

Hezbollah have said one person is dead and fourteen are wounded.

Zachary Anders, a freelance journalist based in the region, told Metro he believes Israel is going to begin targeting Hezbollah leadership more thoroughly in this ‘new window of escalation.

‘Anytime Israel is hitting Beirut, you’ve got a massive civilian population that is not affiliated or tied with Hezbollah,’ he explained.

‘Unlike Hamas in Gaza, where Hamas is the main elected political representation of the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah is not the main party.

‘It’s important to remember Beirut is a very diverse place with a multisecular society. So far, these strikes have been confined within a few mile radius of the southern suburbs, known to be a Hezbollah stronghold.’

The UK Foreign office issued an urgent warning to UK nationals in Lebanon: leave and do not travel to the country for any reason.

• The FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors in Lebanon.
• There are ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges and airstrikes in Lebanon, primarily on the boundary with Israel but also in parts of the Beqaa Valley and some other locations north of the Litani river.
• Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon. In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice, and roads across the country could be closed. The British embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. If you are currently in Lebanon, you should leave now.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has chaired an emergency COBRA meeting yesterday discuss the escalating situation and potential evacuation of Brits in Lebanon.

British nationals have already been urged to leave Lebanon while they still can as tensions rise in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Emma Davis