In a devastating escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike hit the densely populated Basta Fawqa neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon, early Saturday morning. The strike left at least 29 people dead, including several children, making it the deadliest bombardment of the Lebanese capital in the past year.
Casualties and Destruction
The airstrike reduced an eight-story residential building to rubble, creating a massive crater in the heart of the neighborhood. Rescue workers continued searching through the wreckage more than 48 hours after the attack, attempting to recover the bodies of victims trapped beneath the debris.
The strike has left survivors and residents in shock. Amayrad, a long-time resident of Basta Fawqa, tearfully recounted the loss of nine people she knew personally. Many of those killed had sought refuge in the neighborhood, fleeing violence in southern Lebanon.
“They came here to be safe… And they were killed just sleeping at home, with no warning,” Amayrad said. “It’s the innocents who are losing their lives.”
Israeli Response and Lack of Warning
Israeli authorities have not issued a statement regarding the specific attack on Basta Fawqa. However, Israel has consistently defended its operations in Lebanon, stating that they are targeting Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group. Israel claims to issue evacuation warnings to civilians before strikes to minimize casualties but did not provide any warnings before this bombardment.
This is not the first unannounced strike on residential areas in Beirut. On October 10, a nearby building was struck, killing 22 people. Residents of Basta Fawqa say these attacks have shattered any sense of safety in what was once considered a relatively secure area of the capital.
Humanitarian Impact
The attack has drawn attention to the ongoing human toll of the conflict. Many of the victims in the Basta Fawqa neighborhood were displaced individuals seeking shelter from violence in southern Lebanon, compounding the suffering of already vulnerable communities.
Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the lack of advance warnings and the targeting of densely populated areas. They argue that such strikes violate international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.
A Growing Crisis
The strike underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with Beirut increasingly becoming a flashpoint in the conflict. As violence continues, civilians bear the brunt of the suffering, with entire families caught in the crossfire.
The Basta Fawqa attack serves as a grim reminder of the devastating human cost of war and the urgent need for de-escalation and dialogue to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
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