In a brazen and unprecedented attack, Israel’s military struck the heart of Lebanon’s capital city, Beirut, early on Monday, killing three senior leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The attack, which was carried out using a drone, according to sources, marks the first time Israel has targeted the center of Beirut since 2006.
The PFLP, a militant group that has been actively engaged in the fight against Israel, confirmed that three of its senior figures were killed in the attack. Initial footage from the scene showed two stories of an apartment building completely blown out, with onlookers running towards the building in a state of panic.
Two bodies could be seen lying on the street atop a car outside the building, seemingly ejected by the force of the blast. The sound of the explosion was heard around the city, causing widespread fear and anxiety among residents.
The Beirut strike, which hit near the Kola intersection, a popular reference point in the city, has thrown into doubt which areas of Beirut are still safe from Israel’s expanding aerial campaign. Israeli drones hovered over Beirut for much of Sunday, with the loud blasts of new airstrikes echoing around the city.
The attack on central Beirut marks a new escalation in Israel’s military campaign against Iran’s regional allies. In recent days, Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes across Lebanon and Yemen, targeting militant groups and infrastructure.
The PFLP has been a key target of Israel’s military campaign, with the group’s leaders and fighters being repeatedly targeted in airstrikes and assassinations. However, the attack on central Beirut is a significant escalation, as it marks the first time Israel has targeted the heart of the city since 2006.
Fear and Anxiety
The attack has caused widespread fear and anxiety among residents of Beirut, who are increasingly concerned about the safety of their city. “We are living in a state of constant fear,” said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “We don’t know when or where the next attack will happen.”
The Lebanese government has condemned the attack, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati calling it a “flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty.” The government has also called on the international community to intervene and stop Israel’s military campaign.
The attack has been widely condemned by the international community, with many countries calling on Israel to stop its military campaign. The United Nations has expressed concern about the escalating violence, with Secretary-General António Guterres calling for restraint and calm.
The European Union has also condemned the attack, with High Representative Josep Borrell calling it a “serious escalation” of the conflict. The EU has called on Israel to stop its military campaign and to respect the sovereignty of Lebanon.
A Wider Conflict
The attack on central Beirut has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The PFLP has vowed to retaliate against Israel, and other militant groups in the region have also threatened to take action.
The conflict has already spilled over into other countries, with airstrikes and attacks reported in Yemen and Syria. The international community is increasingly concerned about the potential for a wider conflict, with many countries calling for restraint and calm.
The attack on central Beirut is a significant escalation of Israel’s military campaign against Iran’s regional allies. The killing of three senior PFLP leaders has caused widespread fear and anxiety among residents of Beirut, and has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region.
The international community must act quickly to stop Israel’s military campaign and to prevent a wider conflict. The people of Beirut and the wider region deserve to live in peace and security, and it is up to the international community to ensure that this happens.
