In brief
In the aftermath of deadly airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister is calling on the UN to broker an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as rescuers continue to search through rubble for survivors.
Rescue teams combed through debris in Beirut on Friday, urgently searching for survivors after Israeli airstrikes hit two crowded neighborhoods, making residents fear nowhere in Lebanon is safe from the ongoing military conflict with Hezbollah. The strikes, which Lebanese officials confirm have killed at least 22 and injured over 100, are the deadliest in Beirut in over a year, greatly escalating tensions. Historically, Israeli military actions focused on Shiite-majority areas, but this strike also affected Sunni communities, raising concerns of increased sectarian violence.Among those affected was Nazik Rashid, a salon owner in the Basta neighborhood, who expressed shock at the strike on the largely Sunni area known for diplomatic presence and proximity to the Lebanese Parliament. As Israel enters Yom Kippur observances, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister is urging the UN to enforce a ceasefire, desperate to halt the cross-border warfare that has intensified over the past month.
