Beirut, Lebanon – A devastating Israeli airstrike has decimated a residential building in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and leaving more than 20 others wounded, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry.

Witnesses recount the horror as the eight-story structure in the densely-populated Basta district was obliterated by five missiles during the early hours of Saturday, with the sound of explosions reverberating throughout the city.

Amid the chaos and destruction, emergency response teams swiftly mobilized to search the debris-laden site in Basta, where thick plumes of smoke billowed from a massive crater. Efforts to clear the rubble and locate any survivors are currently underway, according to health ministry officials.

This recent attack marks the fourth Israeli assault on central Beirut this week alone, underscoring the escalating tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. The targeted strikes have claimed the lives of prominent Hezbollah members, including their leader Hassan Nasrallah, in previous months.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a major offensive against Hezbollah in September, resorting to airstrikes and ground incursions into southern Lebanon in response to the militant group’s provocations. The conflict further intensified when Hezbollah launched a series of rocket attacks into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, following the latter’s deadly assault on southern Israel.

In a bid to reclaim safety and normalcy for the displaced residents of northern Israel, Israel has declared its objective to neutralize Hezbollah’s threat through military action. However, the prolonged conflict has inflicted immense human suffering, leading to the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of over a million individuals in Lebanon, as confirmed by local authorities.

Efforts to broker a ceasefire between the warring factions have seen some progress, with a US mediator engaging with Israeli and Lebanese officials this week. Although details of the negotiations remain undisclosed, the delicate diplomatic efforts offer a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil plaguing the region.