BEIRUT: Israeli air strikes pummelled the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, sending thousands of people fleeing on the eve of a Muslim feast day and prompting accusations by top Lebanese officials that Israel was violating a ceasefire deal. At least 10 strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs — a sprawling area known as Dahiyeh — in a wave of bombing that began about 90 minutes after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for four sites in the area.
It was the fourth time that Dahiyeh has been bombed since a US-brokered truce in November ended a year-long war between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah. The ceasefire says Hezbollah must pull all military equipment and fighters out of southern Lebanon.
The strikes sent thick plumes of smoke billowing over the district until midnight, according to Reuters footage. Thousands fled, causing traffic gridlock. Most ended up fleeing on foot to relatives' homes and others stayed out in the streets. Israeli strikes also hit the southern Lebanese village of Ain Qana shortly after evacuation warnings were issued for the area. — Reuters
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
