Israel aims Hezbollah intel HQ in Lebanon as US voices concerns against attacks on civilians

Israel says it targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut, evaluating the damage from a series of strikes against senior Hezbollah figures, which Iran’s Supreme Leader deemed counterproductive.

This action follows Israel’s assessment of response options to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Tuesday, itself a reaction to Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.

The conflict has resulted in significant displacement, with over 1.2 million Lebanese forced from their homes. The Beirut air attack targeted the potential successor to Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, killed by Israel a week ago. Hashem Safieddine’s status remains unclear, with neither Israel nor Hezbollah commenting.

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The situation remains tense, with blasts and smoke reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs, prompting Israeli military evacuation alerts. Hezbollah claims Israeli forces are attempting to infiltrate the Lebanese town of Odaisseh, with ongoing clashes.

US President Joe Biden suggested considering alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields, acknowledging Israel’s response to Iran is still unfolding.

Lebanon has reported over 2,000 deaths in the past year, mostly in the last two weeks. The UN condemns the civilian toll as “totally unacceptable” as Lebanese authorities accuse Israel of targeting civilians.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has expressed alarm over an American’s death in Lebanon and urges Israel to minimize civilian harm.

Kamel Ahmad Jawad, from Dearborn, Michigan, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday, according to his daughter, a friend and the U.S. congresswoman representing his district.

The conflict stems from Hamas fighter’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200. Israel’s Gaza assault has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly Gaza’s entire population, and sparked genocide allegations.