Following a statement about expanding military operations in Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces carried out airstrikes on central Beirut, its southern districts, and surrounding areas on Thursday, March 12. Targets included the campus of the Lebanese University and the office of a financial company linked to Hezbollah, according to reports from AFP news agency.
Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that a drone strike on the university campus killed two staff members. The country's Health Ministry confirmed five deaths in the southern Beirut suburb of Aramoun, including one child. Additionally, the ministry stated that an earlier morning attack on Ramlet al-Bayda beach in Beirut resulted in 12 fatalities and 28 injuries.
Overall, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that strikes across the country on March 12 killed 56 people and wounded 188 others. Since the beginning of attacks on Lebanon on March 2, the total death toll has reached 687, including 98 children and 52 women, with nearly 1,800 people injured according to ministry figures.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recalled that Hezbollah had launched a massive attack on his country just one day prior. He warned Lebanon's president that if the Lebanese government fails to control its territory and prevent threats from Hezbollah to northern Israeli communities, Israel would occupy the area and handle the situation itself. Katz made these remarks during a meeting with IDF leadership, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Katz, along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, instructed the IDF to prepare for expanded activities in Lebanon to restore peace and security in northern regions. IDF representatives also issued warnings to residents of southern Lebanese villages about impending military actions against Hezbollah, urging them to evacuate their homes.
In commenting on the March 12 strikes, the IDF announced the elimination of a commander and his deputy from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps division operating alongside Hezbollah. According to the Israeli army, around 350 militants have been killed in Lebanon since the beginning of March.
The United States and Israel have been conducting airstrikes against Iran since February 28, resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other members of Iran's leadership. In response, Iran has launched attacks on Israel, certain Persian Gulf countries, and American military sites in the region.
Hezbollah joined the conflict on Iran's side on March 2, attacking Israel with rockets and drones. This prompted the IDF to strike southern Lebanon and southern suburbs of Beirut where the group's infrastructure is located.
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