An Israeli airstrike on a hotel in central Beirut has resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, according to health officials in Lebanon. The attack, which occurred early on Sunday, also left at least ten others wounded. The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at key commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), although specific names were not disclosed.
The targeted hotel, located in the Raouche area—a popular tourist destination—was reportedly housing displaced individuals fleeing the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Witnesses noted that some residents were seen evacuating the building amid fears of further airstrikes. This incident marks a significant escalation in the conflict, which has seen Lebanon drawn into a regional war following Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Prior to this incident, the Raouche area had remained largely untouched by Israeli strikes during the ongoing hostilities, which have resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people since the onset of renewed violence on February 28. The Israeli military has conducted multiple waves of strikes across Lebanon, including ground troop deployments in border regions. Reports indicate that at least 12 people were killed in separate strikes in southern Lebanon overnight.
The Israeli military described the targeted commanders as operatives of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps, alleging their involvement in planning attacks against Israel and its civilians. In addition to the airstrike on the hotel, Israel has also targeted areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, with footage showing smoke rising from the aftermath of air attacks.
Hezbollah has responded with rocket attacks aimed at Israeli forces, and clashes have been reported near the border town of Aitaroun. As tensions escalate, air raid sirens have been activated in various northern Israeli regions, although no immediate casualties or damage have been reported. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has expressed grave concerns about the humanitarian and political ramifications of the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that Lebanon has been drawn into a war it did not seek.
