At least 87 dead in strike in northern Gaza, local officials say, as Israel continues attacks on Beirut

Nafiseh Kohnavard
Report from Beirut

These are the most violent waves of airstrikes the Lebanese capital has seen in a week. I see several columns of smoke rising from the neighborhood.

As I write this note, I can still hear the low buzz of an Israeli surveillance drone above Beirut.

So far, three evacuation notices have been issued one after another for buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut by the Israeli army.

These new waves of attacks are seen as a response to a drone that flew from Lebanon about 70 km inside Israel towards Prime Minister Netanyahu’s house.

Although Hezbollah has not officially claimed responsibility for the drone attack, the group is considered the most likely suspect alongside Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Especially since in its statement last Thursday, Hezbollah announced that it was entering “a new phase of escalation” in its conflict with Israel and that in the coming days the decision would show its effects.

We therefore wonder if this is the beginning of this “new phase”.

Regardless, once news of a drone launch toward Netanyahu’s house was released, many here in Beirut expected airstrikes to hit the city in response, as part of the “rules of engagement” between Hezbollah and Israel.

While many Lebanese mocked and some rejoiced on social media about how a drone flew all the way from Lebanon, passing and evading Israeli air defense and even circling an Israeli helicopter, some also immediately mentioned that “we should prepare for Dahieh to be hit.” by carpet bombing.