At least 22 people were killed by a series of Israeli air strikes in the heart of Beirut, stoking fears that Israel’s pursuit of Hizbollah was extending deeper into the Lebanese capital.
The attack struck more than 5km from the southern suburbs that have been a focus of Israel’s intensifying offensive against the Lebanon-based militant movement. It was the second time that Israeli forces have hit central Beirut in less than two weeks.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati described the strike on Thursday evening as “totally unacceptable” as he renewed his calls for a ceasefire. At least 117 people were wounded in the attack, health authorities said.