Overview
- Lebanon’s health ministry, which updated figures Friday, said the Wednesday airstrikes killed at least 303 people and injured more than 1,150.
- Multiple blasts hit packed civilian areas in minutes, including sites in central Beirut such as Corniche al-Mazraa, and a ministry list of the dead named 30 children and 71 women.
- Emergency departments in Beirut reported a rush of patients within an hour, and the WHO warned some hospitals could run out of key supplies without immediate international support.
- Israel said it targeted Hezbollah and claimed 200 fighters were killed, Israel’s leaders vowed to keep striking, and Hezbollah resumed firing into Israel on Thursday after the large attack.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered direct talks with Lebanon, AP reported negotiations are expected in Washington next week, and Lebanon’s president called for a ceasefire before any talks.