**Heaviest Air Strikes in Over a Week Hit Beirut Amid Escalating Conflict**

Israel conducted at least a dozen air strikes on Beirut, marking the most severe attack on the Lebanese capital in more than a week. Massive plumes of smoke were seen rising over the southern suburbs, home to Hezbollah's main base. Though the Israeli military issued some evacuation warnings, residents were given only a few minutes in certain areas to evacuate. Significant damage has been reported, including the complete destruction of at least one multi-storey building.

The Israeli military stated that their raids targeted Hezbollah's weapons storage and intelligence headquarters in Dahieh. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets towards the Israeli city of Haifa and its northern areas. Israeli medics confirmed one fatality from the shrapnel.

After a brief period of calm, Beirut’s southern suburbs were once again reverberating with the sounds of air strikes. Thick black smoke, which later turned grey, darkened the sky. Notably, two strikes occurred near Beirut’s operational airport, which is still handling scheduled civilian flights. Within one hour, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued three urgent evacuation warnings to residents in various districts.

The conflict extended beyond Beirut, with Israeli forces targeting regions outside the city. North of Beirut, a couple attempting to evade a suspected Israeli drone was reportedly killed by a missile strike, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). In the eastern Bekaa Valley, NNA reported that five people, including a local mayor, were killed in an Israeli strike on a residential apartment.

Israel's military confirmed that its strikes were focused on targets associated with Hezbollah, who are backed by Iran. The latest strikes come after over 100 rockets were launched into Israel from Lebanon. Additionally, a drone targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea. Prime Minister Netanyahu was not present at the time of the attack.

This escalation follows intensified cross-border skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel, which began in October 2023 as Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned the possibility of negotiating a ceasefire in Lebanon, although he acknowledged that achieving one in Gaza would be more challenging.

The hostilities in Gaza have seen a devastating toll since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza. Israel's retaliatory attacks have reportedly killed at least 42,500 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Calls for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza have intensified, with relatives urging negotiations to secure their freedom.

The conflict has significantly impacted top Hamas leaders, with Yahya Sinwar among those targeted by Israeli forces. Drone footage released by the Israeli military purportedly shows Sinwar moments before his death.