Airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon some of the war’s heaviest to date, killing at least three people
Israel has launched some of the heaviest airstrikes to date on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, before an expected ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah.
The Israeli military began attacking areas of Beirut dominated by the Lebanese militia early on Tuesday before issuing a flurry of 20 evacuation calls – its widest warning to civilians since hostilities escalated into full-blown war in late September.
At least 20 strikes had hit Beirut by Tuesday afternoon, as well as 30 sites across southern Lebanon. At least three people were killed and 26 wounded in southern Beirut, the Lebanese health ministry said, with the toll expected to rise.
The Israeli army said it was carrying out “a widespread attack” on Hezbollah targets, including an aerial defence unit centre, an intelligence centre, rocket launching sites and weapons storage facilities.
A statement said there were also army raids in the Litani River region – the deepest ground push into Lebanon so far – as Israel appeared to try to shore up its military gains in the conflict before a truce, which may be implemented as early as Wednesday.
Hezbollah barrages of rockets and drones into northern Israel on Tuesday seriously injured two civilians and one soldier. Restrictions were tightened in response to increase in fighting, barring large gatherings and closing schools in several areas.
