The escalating Middle East conflict involving Iran and Israel has entered its seventh day, with Israeli forces launching airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, as part of what the military described as the “next phase” of its campaign.
The Israeli military had earlier issued a rare evacuation warning to residents of the area, urging them to leave immediately for their safety. The warning triggered panic across the neighbourhoods as thousands of residents fled their homes.
Lebanon became directly involved in the widening conflict earlier in the week when the militant group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, reportedly in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with a series of airstrikes and ground operations targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure.
Authorities in Lebanon say the violence has resulted in at least 123 deaths since Monday, with 683 others injured and more than 90,000 people displaced from their homes.
The conflict has also begun to spread beyond the immediate region. A United States submarine reportedly torpedoed an Iranian warship near the Sri Lankan coast, while tensions rose in Azerbaijan after a drone strike hit an airport. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev warned that the attack would “not go unanswered,” accusing Iran of involvement, an allegation Tehran has denied.
In the Gulf region, several countries have reported missile and drone attacks linked to the ongoing conflict. Bahrain confirmed that two hotels and a residential building in its capital, Manama, were targeted, though authorities said there were no casualties. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three ballistic missiles heading toward a military air base.
Qatar also reported intercepting a missile over its capital, Doha, while falling debris from a downed drone injured six people in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities claim that more than 1,200 people have been killed by U.S. and Israeli strikes since the war began, although the figure has not been independently verified.
Israeli military officials say significant damage has been inflicted on Iran’s military capabilities, claiming that around 60 percent of Iran’s missile launchers and 80 percent of its air defence systems have been destroyed.
Iran, however, has maintained a defiant stance. The country’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that Tehran had not sought a ceasefire and saw no reason to negotiate with the United States at this stage.
As the conflict intensifies, concerns are growing globally that the war could further expand across the Middle East and beyond.
Source: ADBN TV
