Iran says Israel deadly airstrike on Beirut 'game-changing escalation'

Iran’s embassy in Lebanon says Israel’s major attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs of Dahiya represents a dangerous escalation that changes the rules of the game.

In a statement, the embassy said the regime has committed a bloody massacre and issued false justifications to cover up its crime.

"This reprehensible crime... represents a dangerous escalation that changes the rules of the game," the Iranian embassy said in a post on X, adding that Israel "will receive the appropriate punishment".

The Israeli army radio said F-35 aircraft carried out the aggression using bunker-buster bombs, razing at least six buildings to the ground in the area.

The Israeli military characterized the operation as a "precise strike" aimed at the central headquarters of Hezbollah, located within densely populated civilian neighborhoods.

In a televised statement, Daniel Hagari of the Israeli military said this "central command center" was deeply embedded in residential areas.

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said more than 15 missiles struck the area at the same time.

This attack has raised concerns about potential high casualties among civilians.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said two people were killed and 76 wounded in the attack.

Lebanese media said civil defense personnel were working to extinguish the fire that broke out in the area and evacuate the injured at the site.

Not long before the explosion, thousands were massed in the suburb for the funeral of three Hezbollah members, including a senior commander, killed in earlier strikes.

Israeli media reports said the regime had informed the United States of the attack shortly before it was carried out.

Since dawn, at least 25 civilians have been reported killed due to Israeli airstrikes, with Lebanon's Health Ministry indicating that nearly 700 people have lost their lives in the country this week alone.

Israel has been conducting near-daily attacks on southern Lebanon since October 7, 2023, when the regime launched its campaign of death, destruction and genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah has been responding. Its strikes are meant to both retaliate and support the war-hit Gazans.

The regime has repeatedly threatened to expand its attacks into another wholesale military onslaught against the country.

Hezbollah has vowed to defend the Lebanese soil with all its resources.

Two Israeli wars waged against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 were met with strong resistance from Hezbollah, resulting in the retreat of the regime in both conflicts.

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