Israeli airstrikes target areas near Beirut’s airport while a passenger plane remains on the tarmac, raising international concern.
According to a video published by Sputnik Arabic on Thursday, the Israeli military bombed a target dangerously close to Beirut’s airport as a large passenger jet was taxiing nearby. The footage reveals that an enormous Israeli bomb destroyed a building just several dozen meters from the tarmac.
The video begins with an airplane taxiing on the tarmac at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut. Suddenly, a powerful explosion shakes the vicinity, flattening a nearby low-rise building. Thick gray smoke and dust rapidly engulf the surrounding area.
The aircraft shows no signs of damage and continues to taxi following the impact. It is unclear whether it was getting ready for takeoff or maneuvering after landing. For weeks, media reports have indicated that only one commercial airline remains operational out of Beirut—Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA). Despite regular Israeli shelling, which occasionally strikes areas near the airport, MEA still conducts numerous flights to and from Lebanon’s capital.
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In September, Israel initiated a significant offensive in Lebanon, attacking Beirut with numerous airstrikes. Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commenced a ground incursion. This campaign was prompted by an intense escalation of tensions between West Jerusalem and the Hezbollah militant group based in Lebanon.
Over the past year, sporadic exchanges of fire occurred between the two sides. Hezbollah aimed to retaliate against Israel for its operations targeting the militant group Hamas in Gaza. This was followed by an IDF invasion of Lebanon after a sabotage operation that targeted and damaged thousands of Hezbollah’s handheld communication devices.
The Israeli military conducted an airstrike that resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. In late September, Israel announced that nearly all of Hezbollah’s military leaders had been eliminated; however, their operation is still ongoing.
International concern has been raised over IDF operations in Lebanon, especially following attacks on UN peacekeepers located in the southern region. The United States expressed being “deeply concerned” about these reports from last month. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned one of the incidents as an “inadmissible act for which there is no justification.”
