At least six killed, seven wounded as Israel bombs heart of Beirut

Israel has bombed central Beirut, killing at least six people, after its forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes against Hezbollah.

Israel claimed it conducted a precise air strike on Beirut in the early hours of Thursday. Reuters witnesses reported hearing a huge blast. A security source said it targeted a building located in Bachoura neighbourhood of central Beirut close to parliament. As a result, at least six people were killed and seven hurt, say Lebanese health officials.

A photo is being circulated on Lebanese WhatsApp groups showing a heavily damaged building with its first floor on fire.

Also, three missiles hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where last week Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was martyred, and loud explosions were heard, Lebanese security officials said. On Wednesday, the southern suburbs came under over a dozen Israeli strikes.

The health ministry of Lebanon said Israeli air raids killed at least 46 people in the south and centre of the country over the past 24 hours.