Israeli strike near Beirut hospital leaves at least 18 dead
At least 18 people were killed and 60 wounded in an Israeli strike near the Rafik Hariri Hospital, located on the outskirts of southern Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces later claimed that a Hezbollah target was located next to the hospital, which is a few kilometers from the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. The hospital itself was not targeted, the IDF claimed. No further information was provided.
Footage on social media appeared to show the strike hitting close to the hospital’s entrance, and the Health Ministry reported that the facility was damaged.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said he was “appalled” by the strike.
“The fundamental principles of international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians must be respected,” Türk said.
More than 1,550 people have been killed in bombardment by Israel since the country intensified its air campaign on Lebanon in September, according to the AFP news agency.Palestinians arrested for plotting to assassinate Israeli scientist, city mayor
Seven Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem were arrested on suspicion of planning to assassinate an Israeli scientist and a city mayor, on Iran’s orders, Israeli police said.
The people were also allegedly tasked with bombing a police car and throwing a grenade at a house with a promised payment of 200,000 Israeli shekels ($53,000, €49,000).
“This investigation underscores Iran’s efforts to recruit Israeli citizens for terrorism,” the police statement said, quoting a security official.
This comes a day after authorities dismantled a seven-member group of Israeli citizens accused of spying on military bases and energy infrastructure for Iran.Hezbollah takes responsibility for drone attack on Netanyahu’s house
Lebanese militia group Hezbollah took responsibility for targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s house in the town of Caesarea.
“If our hands didn’t reach you the previous time, then days, nights and the battlefield are still between us,” said Mohammad Afif, head of the Iranian-backed militant group’s media office.
A drone hit Netanyahu’s holiday home on Saturday, with Israeli media reporting that it hit the bedroom window, and that “significant damage” was caused to the house. Netanyahu was not there at the time.
He reacted by calling it an assassination attempt by “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah” and called it a “grave mistake.”
