Residential building hit in central Beirut as Israel escalates airstrikes

A residential building in Beirut was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Monday, according to Reuters witnesses. This was the first attack within the city limits as Israel escalated hostilities against Iran’s allies in the region.

The strike hit the upper floor of a building in the Kola district of the Lebanese capital, Reuters witnesses said.

A security source told Reuters that at least two people were killed.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Israel’s increasing attacks on the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and the Houthi militia in Yemen have raised fears that fighting in the Middle East could spiral out of control and attract Iran and the United States, Israel’s key ally.