Israeli airstrike kills 15 in central Beirut

BEIRUT

The death toll in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut on Saturday rose to 20, while 66 others were injured, the Health Ministry said.

The official Lebanese National News Agency said the strike destroyed an eight-story residential building on Al-Mamoun Street in the Basta district.

Rescue teams and emergency responders were working to recover bodies from the rubble and assist survivors. Several of the injured were rushed to hospitals, where some remain in critical condition.

Israel has engaged in cross-border warfare with Lebanon, launching an air campaign in late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets.

More than 3,600 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with more than 15,300 injured and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.​​​​​​​

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi and Rania Abu Shamala