Tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, with new Israeli strikes destroying Lebanon’s infrastructure.
Multiple Israeli strikes hit Beirut suburbs
Multiple Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday, with the explosions heard throughout the Lebanese capital. The series of airstrikes targeted the al-Jamiaa neighborhood and the Hay El Sellom area.
The Israeli army hit the neighbourhoods of Kafaat, Ruweis, Hay al-Sallum, Haret Hreik, Shiyah, the Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp and the suburbs of Hadas and Choueifat. They are all located around Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The Israel Defence Forces did not comment on the strikes, but had previously urged civilians in southern Beirut to evacuate.
Hezbollah leader temporarily buried over security concerns
Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried in a secret location over fears that Israel might hold a large funeral, a source close to the group told AFP on Friday.
The source said after the Israeli airstrike killed the leader last week:
“Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried until circumstances allow for a public funeral.”
The source added that holding a public funeral became impossible “due to Israeli threats to strike mourners and his burial site.”
A Lebanese official, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said Hezbollah had sought assurances from top Lebanese officials but had been unable to get any assurances from the US, a key Israeli ally, that Israel would not strike the public funeral.
Iranian supreme leader praises missile attack on Israel
Iran’s supreme leader on Friday praised a recent missile strike on Israel and said the country was ready to repeat it if necessary, state television reported.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking at Friday prayers as leader for the first time in five years, called the missile strike a “brilliant” performance by the Iranian military.
Iran fired at least 180 rockets into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of rapidly escalating attacks between Israel, Iran and its allies that threaten to bring the Middle East closer to a region-wide war. Israel said it had intercepted many of the missiles, and officials in Washington said US destroyers had assisted in Israel’s defence. Iran said most of its missiles hit their target. No casualties were reported.
Khamenei, 85, said in a 40-minute speech to thousands of people at Mosalla Mosque, Tehran’s main prayer site, that the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel nearly a year ago, on October 7, 2023, was a legitimate action by the Palestinian people. He also said Tuesday’s rocket attack was based on international law, the country’s laws and Islamic beliefs.
Khamenei called on countries from “Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen” to be ready to act against the enemy and praised those who died in the process. He said:
“Our resisting people in Lebanon and Palestine, you brave fighters, you loyal and patient people, these martyrdoms and the blood that was shed shouldn’t shake your determination but make you more persistent.”
Khamenei gave half of the speech in Arabic as he addressed his comments to Arab nations. He last spoke at Friday prayers after the death of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a 2020 US drone strike in Baghdad.
