Arabic version: الضربات الإسرائيلية تستهدف فندقًا ومناطق سكنية في لبنان

Israeli forces bombed the Comfort Hotel in Beirut and a residential building in Baalbek, escalating military actions in the region. According to Al Jazeera, the strikes are part of ongoing operations against Hezbollah, with the military issuing forced displacement orders to residents in affected areas.

The Comfort Hotel, located on the border of Hazmieh and Baabda in greater Beirut, was hit without warning, leading to speculation about a possible assassination attempt. Eyewitness footage revealed extensive damage, including blown-out windows and debris scattered across the site. The Israeli military has not clarified its specific targets in these strikes.

In addition to the hotel, a residential building in Baalbek, near the Syrian border, was struck, resulting in at least four fatalities and multiple injuries. Rescue teams are currently searching through the rubble for survivors. Further attacks in Beirut’s southern suburbs also reported casualties, with more than 40 individuals killed in Israeli operations since this front of the war ignited.

The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson has issued new evacuation orders for the Haret Hreik neighborhood and additional towns in southern Lebanon, marking areas they claim are linked to Hezbollah. This follows earlier displacement orders affecting over 50 towns, aimed at establishing a larger buffer zone in the region.

Hezbollah has responded to the Israeli strikes by launching rockets towards Israeli forces in northern Israel, resulting in intercepted projectiles. The Israeli military has threatened further actions against Iranian representatives in Lebanon, demanding their departure within 24 hours. Human Rights Watch has condemned these threats, asserting that targeting individuals not directly involved in hostilities contravenes international law.