The IDF issued another warning Friday afternoon for residents of Beirut’s Dahieh district to evacuate ahead of planned airstrikes targeting the Hezbollah stronghold. At least six strikes were carried out in the morning, leveling multiple buildings.
Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that damage in Dahieh has reached an estimated $630 million, with rebuilding across Lebanon after Israeli strikes projected to cost $3 billion—matching the toll of the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Building in Beirut's Dahieh leveled in IDF strike
As of late October, 220 buildings in Dahieh have been destroyed, compared to 246 during the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese officials estimated reconstruction could take three to five years.
Israeli officials believe Hezbollah and Lebanon’s caretaker government are unlikely to accept Israel’s demand for operational freedom in Lebanon as part of a cease-fire deal under negotiation. The proposed agreement, supported by the U.S., France and Britain, would allow international arming of the Lebanese Army and position those nations as guarantors of the deal. A draft was delivered to Lebanon’s prime minister and parliament speaker, who are negotiating on behalf of Hezbollah.
Despite American optimism, Israeli officials expressed doubts about the Lebanese Army’s ability to act effectively against Hezbollah, citing low confidence in its capability. Hezbollah has shown no urgency to accept the deal and continues its military campaign.
Hezbollah continued to launch rockets at Haifa and the Galilee on Friday. Qatari newspaper The New Arab confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, but Lebanon has rejected any future Israeli military operations on its soil. Hezbollah also refused German participation in overseeing the agreement.
Meanwhile, Iranian envoy Ali Larijani met with Lebanese leaders, voicing Iran’s full support for Hezbollah, the government and the military. “We stand with Lebanon against Israeli aggression,” Larijani said. “Hezbollah is strong, and the Lebanese are resilient. We support the resistance.”
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: