Israel launches deadly strikes on Beirut since war began

Israel launched a major series of airstrikes across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon on Wednesday, marking the most intense assault on the Lebanese capital since the conflict with Hezbollah began.

The strikes described by the Israeli military as its largest coordinated attack across Lebanon prompted panic among residents as explosions were heard in multiple neighbourhoods.

According to reports, the coordinated bombardment targeted more than 100 sites within minutes, including areas in central Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.

Simultaneous strikes on the capital came without warning, prompting people on the streets to start running and motorists to honk their horns in an effort to clear the way, according to AFP journalists.

“I saw the blast, it was very strong, and there were children killed, some with their hands cut off,” Yasser Abdallah, who works in an appliance store in central Beirut, told AFP.

One of the strikes hit Corniche al-Mazraa, one of the main roads in the capital.

An AFP photographer saw widespread damage, buildings ablaze and destroyed cars.