GLOBAL FLASH: Israel Pounds Beirut Before Washington Talks, Hezbollah Vows Fierce Response

Israel launched a powerful wave of airstrikes across Lebanon ahead of key diplomatic discussions linked to regional tensions, triggering massive destruction in southern Beirut and escalating fears of a wider Middle East conflict. Thick smoke was seen rising from residential neighborhoods after multiple missiles struck densely populated areas of the Lebanese capital. Visuals emerging from Beirut showed damaged buildings, shattered streets, and panic among civilians as emergency crews rushed to affected zones. The Israeli military claimed that its air force targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and hit nearly 135 Hezbollah-linked positions across Lebanon. Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer warned Hezbollah leaders that hiding in Beirut would not shield them from future operations, signaling that Israel is prepared to intensify military action if attacks continue. On the other side, Hezbollah announced that its fighters carried out 19 retaliatory attacks against Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. The group claimed it used rockets, artillery shells, and drones to target Israeli troop movements and military positions near border regions. Lebanese health authorities reported that at least one woman and two children were killed in the latest strikes on southern Beirut. Lebanon’s Health Ministry also stated that since March 2, a total of 3,324 Lebanese citizens have lost their lives in Israeli attacks, underlining the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict. The latest escalation comes at a highly sensitive diplomatic moment, with international observers closely watching whether upcoming negotiations in Washington can prevent the confrontation from spiraling into a broader regional war.