By Our Correspondent

National News – An Israeli airstrike struck a multi-storey apartment building in central Beirut on Wednesday, marking the second direct attack on the Lebanese capital since the Middle East war escalated.

The strike hit the densely populated Aisha Bakkar neighborhood, close to one of Beirut’s largest shopping malls, causing structural damage and widespread panic.

Residents scrambled to safety as debris and fires erupted, while emergency teams evacuated the injured and surveyed the scene.

No immediate casualty figures were confirmed.

Lebanon became involved in the conflict last week after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US-Israeli forces.

Israel, which has maintained operations against Hezbollah despite the 2024 ceasefire, has now expanded strikes across Lebanon and deployed ground troops near the border.

A previous airstrike targeted a central Beirut hotel, reportedly killing four Iranian diplomats.

The southern suburbs of Beirut, a known Hezbollah stronghold, were also targeted earlier Wednesday.

Residents had been warned to evacuate prior to the attacks.

Hezbollah confirmed engagements with Israeli forces near the border towns of Khiam, Odaisseh, and Aitaroun, including rocket attacks on Israeli missile defense sites south of Haifa.

Lebanese authorities report that over 759,000 people have been displaced, with 122,600 currently housed in shelters.

Health officials confirmed casualties in multiple towns, including Qana and Hennawiyeh, where successive Israeli raids killed and wounded civilians, including rescue personnel.

This escalation signals a widening regional crisis, drawing Lebanon further into the Iran-Israel-US conflict.

International observers are closely monitoring the humanitarian impact as airstrikes continue in populated urban centers and border regions.