BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 8 (UPI) -- Israel carried out intensive, large-scale airstrikes on Wednesday, targeting several neighborhoods in the heart of Beirut, as well as southern and eastern Lebanon, inflicting a high number of casualties and causing significant material damage.
The airstrikes came hours after the United States and Iran reached a Pakistani-mediated two-week cease-fire calling for a cessation of hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon-- a provision that Israel rejected, pledging to continue strikes against Hezbollah.
They were carried out without prior warning during rush hour in Beirut, striking residential buildings and apartments in several densely populated neighborhoods, causing panic and chaos in the streets.
One of the strikes targeted a building close to the official residence of House Speaker Nabih Berri, Hezbollah's main ally.
Thick black smoke billowed over the targeted areas as ambulances, civil defense units, and fire engines rushed in to evacuate casualties and extinguish fires.
