In a tragic incident on Monday evening, an Israeli airstrike hit near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in southern Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including a child, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The strike also left 24 people injured.
The airstrike targeted the hospital’s parking lot, as reported by a hospital source to Reuters. It was part of a larger series of 13 airstrikes in the area, which the Israeli military claimed were aimed at facilities linked to Hezbollah.
While Israeli forces had issued warnings for civilians to vacate several locations in southern Beirut, Rafik Hariri University Hospital was not included in those advisories. Videos captured in the Dahiyeh neighborhood showed residents fleeing as the strikes began, with some taking to their vehicles while others escaped on foot.
One of the targets identified by the Israeli military was located about 400 meters from Beirut’s international airport, where blasts shattered windows in some airport buildings.
Israeli forces did not issue further statements after the strikes, which followed earlier warnings to evacuate the region.
Hezbollah Bunker Allegations
Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military claimed to have discovered a Hezbollah bunker concealed beneath Sahel Hospital in southern Beirut's Haret Hreik district. According to Israeli officials, the bunker was purportedly holding cash and gold, used to fund Hezbollah’s operations. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, made the claim, although no evidence was provided.
The director of Sahel Hospital has denied the existence of a bunker and called upon the Lebanese army to inspect the site for verification.
Expanded Campaign Targeting Hezbollah’s Financial Networks
In addition to military targets, Israel has intensified strikes on Hezbollah’s financial networks. On Sunday night, airstrikes targeted branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association (AQAH), a financial entity linked to Hezbollah. AQAH provides financial services in Hezbollah-dominated areas, but Israel and the United States accuse it of funding Hezbollah’s activities. AQAH and Hezbollah have not commented on the allegations.
Diplomatic Efforts for Peace
Meanwhile, Amos Hochstein, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, arrived in Beirut on Monday in an effort to mediate a possible ceasefire. Hochstein emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution, stating that the implementation of UN resolution 1701—which calls for the Lebanese state to be the sole armed force in southern Lebanon—was insufficient. The U.S. is reportedly exploring additional measures.
Rising Tensions and Casualties
Hezbollah continues to launch rockets into northern Israel, with Israeli forces reporting 170 projectiles fired by Monday evening. The conflict, which escalated in October 2023 after Hezbollah began supporting Hamas in Gaza, has already claimed over 2,400 lives in Lebanon, including 1,800 in the past five weeks. Israeli authorities report 59 deaths in northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights.
As both sides brace for further conflict, diplomatic efforts remain critical in averting an even greater humanitarian disaster.
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