Escalation in Middle East: Israeli Airstrikes Devastate Beirut

Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut, killing at least 105 people and displacing hundreds of thousands. The strikes focused on Hezbollah's command structure, killing several leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah. Both sides have escalated attacks, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. President Biden urges to avoid all-out war.

The first apparent Israeli airstrike on central Beirut in almost a year of conflict leveled an apartment building early Monday, killing at least one person and wounding 16. This strike followed a series of attacks that killed dozens, including senior Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Monday's strike targeted a multistorey residential building in a Sunni district. Footage showed ambulances at the scene and crowds of people assessing the damage. Reports indicated the individual killed was affiliated with the Islamic Group, a Sunni political and militant entity allied with Hezbollah.

Elsewhere, airstrikes killed three members of a Palestinian leftist faction and a Hamas commander. In the past week, Israel has intensified its attacks on Hezbollah-stronghold areas, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict. The Israeli military claimed their strikes degraded Hezbollah's capabilities, but rocket attacks on Israel have increased.

(With inputs from agencies.)