A massive Israeli airstrike hit Central Beirut on Saturday, killing at least 20 people, the Lebanese officials said. The strike, which hit the densely populated Basta district, was part Israeli campaign targeting Hezbollah positions.
According to Israeli media reports, the strike on Saturday happened without warning around 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT) to assassinate a senior Hezbollah official. The explosion could be felt and heard across the city as several buildings were damaged, including one eight-story residential building.
Attack Carried Out Using Bunker Buster Bombs
The National News Agency of Lebanon confirmed that Israeli forces used a bunker-buster bomb, a weapon earlier used against top Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah.
Rising Death Toll And Widespread Damage
The death toll rose from 15 to 20 on Saturday, with emergency crews working to clear rubble and retrieve bodies, BBC reported. More than 60 people were reportedly injured, and the death toll is expected to increase as DNA tests will be conducted on recovered body parts, reports added.
Eyewitness Account – ‘It Was A Horrible Explosion‘
BBC quoted 55-year-old local resident Ali Nassar as saying, “It was a very horrible explosion. All the windows and glasses were over me, my wife, and my children. My home now is a battlefield.” Nassar expressed disbelief, questioning, “Even if one person is hiding here. Should you destroy buildings where people are sleeping inside? Is it necessary to kill all the people for one person? Or we’re not humans? That’s what I’m asking.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not yet commented.
