Middle East Crisis: Dramatic visuals captured the exact moment an Israeli airstrike hit a building in Ghobeiry along Beirut Airport Road on Tuesday, as the Israeli military announced four soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon.
The strike, which occurred about an hour after the IDF issued an evacuation warning, sent thick plumes of smoke over the city's skyline and forced the closure of the airport road.
The footage shows a missile striking the upper floors of the structure, causing a massive explosion and sending debris onto the adjacent road. The Israeli military said the building was a 'Hezbollah facility.'
What Is the Current Death Toll in Lebanon?
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that 1,247 people have been killed since the escalation began on March 2, with more than 3,680 injured. In the last 24 hours alone, at least 21 people were killed and 70 wounded across the country. The deceased include at least 125 children and 88 women. More than 40 healthcare workers have been killed in strikes targeting medical facilities.
Over one million people-roughly 20% of Lebanon's population-have been displaced. Many families are sleeping in cars or public squares in central Beirut as shelters have exceeded capacity.
What Are Israel's Military Losses?
The Israeli military confirmed Tuesday that four soldiers from the Nahal reconnaissance unit were killed during close-range clashes in southern Lebanon, bringing the total Israeli military death toll in this operation to 11. The army named three soldiers from the same battalion who 'fell during combat' and said another soldier had been killed in the same incident with two others wounded.
Ten Israeli soldiers have been reported killed since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah flared up on March 2, following a United States-Israeli joint attack on Iran.
US-Israel-Iran War: What Is Happening on the Ground?
The IDF began a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon on March 16 aimed at establishing a 'buffer zone' up to the Litani River. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday ordered the military to expand its invasion, pushing deeper into Lebanese territory.
On Tuesday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported that Israeli drone attacks killed four people in southern Lebanon: a strike on a car in the al-Wasita Al-Qasimiya area near Tyre killed two, while another raid on Derikifa killed two more people.
What Evacuation Orders Are in Place?
The Israeli military continues to issue targeted and mass evacuation orders for the Dahiyeh area, the southern suburbs of Beirut. Active evacuation zones include Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik, where specific buildings are under immediate orders. Residents near the Beirut Airport Road have been warned to stay away from designated 'Hezbollah interests.'
Since early March, the IDF has maintained a 'blanket' warning for the entire Dahiyeh area, affecting nearly 700,000 residents. New evacuation warnings were issued on March 30 for six villages in the western Bekaa region, marking the first such orders for that area.
What Did the UN Say About Peacekeeper Deaths?
On Monday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said two peacekeepers were killed 'when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle' near the southern Lebanese village of Bani Haiyyan. Another peacekeeper was killed by a projectile on Sunday near the village of Aadchit el-Qsair.
US-Israel-Iran War: What Is the Lebanese Government's Position?
Hezbollah's illegal military operations have been denounced by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who has demanded that the organization disband and turn over its weapons to the government. As the violence continues to wreak havoc on the nation, the administration is under increasing strain.
FAQs: Lebanon-Israel Conflict
Q: How many people have been killed in Lebanon?
A: At least 1,247 people have been killed since March 2, including 125 children and 88 women, according to Lebanese health authorities.
Q: How many Israeli soldiers have died?
A: Eleven Israeli soldiers have been killed since fighting escalated on March 2, with four confirmed dead in the last 24 hours.
Q: What was hit in the Beirut strike?
A: A building in Ghobeiry along Beirut Airport Road was struck about an hour after the IDF issued an evacuation warning. Israel said it was a Hezbollah facility.
Q: How many people have been displaced?
A: Over one million people-about 20% of Lebanon's population-have been displaced, with shelters overwhelmed.
Q: What is Israel's military objective?
A: Netanyahu has ordered forces to establish a 'buffer zone' up to the Litani River, expanding ground operations deeper into southern Lebanon.
Q: What did the UN report?
A: Three UN peacekeepers have been killed in recent days, two in an explosion of unknown origin and one by a projectile.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.