Beirut, Lebanon - September 21, 2024

Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border continued to escalate on Sunday, following Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's suburbs that killed a high-ranking Hezbollah commander.

The Israeli army has reported over 100 projectiles fired from Lebanon on Sunday morning, with fires caused by falling munitions. This came in the wake of airstrikes on Hezbollah on Friday.

Lebanese Minister of Public Health Firass Abiad said 37 people, including women and children, died in Friday's strikes on two residential buildings, calling it a war crime.

The latest attack on Beirut which included the assassination of Ibrahim Akil, acting commander of Hezbollah's Elite Radwan Force, has heightened tensions across the region.

"One of the things we do is hospital evacuation. We take measures to release the wounded patients who no longer need hospital care so they can go home. (This helps prevent) a shortage of nursing and medical care, (and creates space for potential new cases) if [further] attacks occur. We also have a stockpile, and everyone knows that our plan has increased the stockpile to last for four months," Abiad said.

Following an emergency meeting of the Central Internal Security Council to discuss the developments of the Israeli raid, the Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi described the situation as "dangerous and delicate," adding that Lebanon had entered a "decisive" phase.

"The Israeli enemy is using new, advanced, and innovative technical methods. This is what the security and military agencies, particular intelligence units, are studying in parallel with their internal work. We will increase our focus on Palestinian and Syrian camps, monitor the entry and exit movements of foreigners, and hotels, borders, and the airport to prevent any aggression," said Mawlawi.

Hezbollah confirmed the assassination of Ibrahim Akil, calling him a martyr and pledging to uphold his mission.

All signs indicated that the escalating violence will continue, with tensions reaching unprecedented levels and the future uncertain.

The series of attacks, including communication device explosions earlier this week, have claimed dozens of lives, signifying an unprecedented challenge in Hezbollah's history.

Shotlist:

Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 20, 2024
1. Various of emergency rescue staff, ambulances at explosion site after Israeli airstrike;

Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 21, 2024
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Firass Abiad, Lebanese Minister of Public Health (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"One of the things we do is hospital evacuation. We take measures to release the wounded patients who no longer need hospital care so they can go home. (This helps prevent) a shortage of nursing and medical care, (and creates space for potential new cases) if [further] attacks occur. We also have a stockpile, and everyone knows that our plan has increased the stockpile to last for four months.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
3. Cameras;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, other officials at emergency meeting of Central Internal Security Council;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Bassam Mawlawi, Lebanese Interior Minister:
"The Israeli enemy is using new, advanced, and innovative technical methods. This is what the security and military agencies, particular intelligence units, are studying in parallel with their internal work. We will increase our focus on Palestinian and Syrian camps, monitor the entry and exit movements of foreigners, and hotels, borders, and the airport to prevent any aggression.";
6. Confirmation of assassination of Ibrahim Akil, acting commander of Hezbollah's Elite Radwan Force;

Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 21, 2024
7. Various of debris, ruined buildings; excavators, rescuers working.