Israel Launches Dozens of Strikes on Hezbollah Strongholds in Beirut

ABC News reports from Beirut as Israel conducts an extensive bombing campaign across Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah strongholds in the city and other regions. The strikes, which number in the dozens, mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group. The campaign follows heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with Hezbollah launching rockets into northern Israel in recent weeks. Israeli officials have stated the operations aim to degrade Hezbollah's military capabilities and infrastructure. The bombardment has caused civilian casualties and widespread damage, raising fears of a broader regional war. International calls for de-escalation have intensified, but both sides show no signs of backing down.

Global Impact

Economically, the conflict threatens to disrupt energy markets, with oil prices likely to rise 5-10% in the short term due to fears of supply chain interruptions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Politically, the bombing campaign strains US-EU relations, as Western allies differ on support for Israel's actions, potentially weakening NATO cohesion.