Escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: 37 Dead in Beirut Airstrike

An Israeli airstrike killed at least 37 people in a Beirut suburb, including senior Hezbollah members. The incident marks the deadliest strike in a year of conflict, escalating tensions and sparking heavy cross-border strikes. The total death toll in recent conflicts has risen to 39, with over 3,000 injured.

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb claimed the lives of at least 37 people, among them senior members of Hezbollah, according to the Lebanese health ministry. This strike, which occurred on Friday, has been described as the deadliest in a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah reported that the casualties included 16 of their members, including senior leaders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi. The Israeli army indicated the airstrike targeted an underground meeting of Hezbollah's military leaders, significantly disrupting the group's military chain of command.

This recent escalation has intensified the conflict, with heavy cross-border strikes occurring on Saturday. The continued violence has raised concerns about a broader conflict, as at least 70 people have died in Lebanon this week, and the overall death toll since October has surpassed 740.

(With inputs from agencies.)