New Israeli strikes on central Beirut kill 12

Israeli strikes on central Beirut on Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and injuries to 41, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The strikes targeted the Basta and Zuqaq al-Blat neighborhoods, causing significant destruction. Earlier attacks in these areas had already resulted in at least six fatalities and 24 injuries, as reported by Lebanese authorities. A loud explosion was also noted in central Beirut following an Israeli strike on a building in the Bachoura neighborhood, which occurred shortly after the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for the area. In addition to the strikes in Beirut, an Israeli air strike early on Wednesday targeted a four-storey residential building in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, leading to several deaths and injuries. The Israeli military has stated that it is conducting ground operations in southern Lebanon, focusing on key locations to expand its forward defense zones amid ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese group. The situation has escalated tensions in the region, prompting the UN refugee agency to declare a "major humanitarian emergency" in West Asia. The conflict has also seen Israel targeting Iran's South Pars gas field, which has raised concerns about global energy security. Following these attacks, Iran issued evacuation orders for five energy facilities in the Gulf, including the Ras Laffan refinery in Qatar. Qatari officials condemned Israel's actions, labeling them as a "dangerous and irresponsible step" that threatens both regional stability and global energy security. The ongoing military actions and rising tensions have created a precarious humanitarian situation in the region.