The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) today said that it carried out a “targeted strike” in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut on Friday.

“The IDF (Israeli military) conducted a targeted strike in Beirut.  At this moment, there are no changes in the Home Front Command defensive guidelines. We will update regarding any changes. Details to follow,” it said in a statement.

According to reports, four rockets targeted the building in Dahieh. Ambulances swiftly transported the injured from the scene, while Lebanon’s civil defence urged citizens to stay home in order to keep roads clear for emergency workers.

At least five children have been killed in the strike, with more casualties expected as paramedics arrived at the scene, the reports said.

The attack occurred at rush hour, a little before 4 pm, according to reports.

The strike was captured in videos, revealing widespread debris and charred vehicles lining a bustling thoroughfare, with onlookers congregating around a structure emitting plumes of smoke. The strike was aimed at a building close to the al-Qaem mosque within the residential Haret Hreik neighborhood in south Beirut.

The development comes after Hezbollah unleashed an intense barrage of fire across the border following a wave of stunning attacks targeting the group’s communication devices.

On September 19, the Israeli Military said, “The IDF is currently striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon to degrade Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.”

For decades, Hezbollah has weaponized civilian homes, dug tunnels beneath them and used civilians as human shields—having turned southern Lebanon into a war zone, IDF said in a post on X.

The IDF was operating to bring security to northern Israel in order to enable the return of residents to their homes and achieve war goals.

With the direction of IDF intelligence, the IAF struck approximately 30 Hezbollah launchers and terrorist infrastructure sites, containing approximately 150 launcher barrels that were ready to fire projectiles toward Israeli territory.

Additionally, the IDF struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure and a weapons storage facility in multiple areas in southern Lebanon.

The recent series of attacks involved the simultaneous detonation of numerous pagers and walkie-talkies utilised by Hezbollah operatives across Lebanon. The coordinated explosions resulted in the tragic loss of at least 37 lives, including two children, and left nearly 3,000 individuals injured. Lebanon’s Health Minister confirmed that the majority of those harmed were civilians.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (August 23) signed four agreements to boost cooperation between India and Ukraine in agriculture, food industry, medicine, culture and humanitarian assistance.

Earlier, PM Modi began the historic visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv under the shadow of war to hold talks with President Zelenskyy.

It is the first-ever visit to Ukraine by an Indian prime minister after Ukraine became independent in 1991, and his trip comes amid Kyiv’s fresh military offensive in Russia’s western Kursk region.

“President Zelenskyy and I had very productive discussions in Kyiv today. India is eager to deepen economic linkages with Ukraine. We discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, technology, pharma, and other such sectors. We also agreed to further cement cultural linkages”, PM Modi said in a post on X.

PM Modi also had discussions about the ongoing conflict. He said, “It is of topmost importance that peace be maintained. A peaceful solution to the conflict is best for humanity.”

The Prime Minister emphasised that India has not remained neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that the country has consistently supported peace.

During his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Modi reiterated India’s stance that dialogue and diplomacy are the only means to resolve the conflict and expressed India’s readiness to contribute actively to peace efforts.

On his visit to the Martyrologist Exposition, PM Modi said that he was deeply hurt. He said, “Truth is the first casualty of a war. I feel that innocent children are the first casualties of war.”

“Today is a historic day for the relationship between India and Ukraine because an Indian PM has visited Ukraine for the first time. Tomorrow is your National Day, and I, on behalf of the 140 crore Indians, congratulate you all,” PM Modi said during his meeting with Zelenskyy.

PM Modi thanked Zelenskyy for providing help during the initial stage of Russia-Ukraine war. He said: “You provided a lot of help in evacuating the Indian students who were trapped here. I, on behalf of the 140 crore people of the nation, would like to thank you for this.”

Additionally, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar disclosed that the bilateral discussions between Modi and President Zelenskyy primarily focused on the war in Ukraine.

Jaishankar also mentioned that both leaders have directed the Intergovernmental Commission, co-chaired by Minister Kuleba and himself, to concentrate on revitalizing trade and economic relations, with plans for an early meeting by the end of the year.

He highlighted the historic nature of PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine and expressed hope for President Zelenskyy’s future visit to India. Furthermore, India demonstrated solidarity by providing 22 tonnes of medical support equipment to Ukraine, reinforcing its ongoing humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected nation.

In his historic visit to war-torn Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that conflict is particularly devastating for young children.

Prime Minister Modi met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with a warm hug and handshake in Kyiv today. Later, PM Modi along with President Zelensky paid homage at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv.

“President Zelensky and I paid homage at the Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv. Conflict is particularly devastating for young children. My heart goes out to the families of children who lost their lives, and I pray that they find the strength to endure their grief”, PM Modi said in a post on X.

“Today in Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I honored the memory of the children whose lives were taken by Russian aggression. Children in every country deserve to live in safety. We must make this possible” post Ukraine President on X.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Kyiv. “The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed to humanity”, PM Modi said.

PM Modi and President Zelensky are scheduled to hold both one-on-one and delegation-level talks with a focus on finding a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi arrived in Kyiv from Poland aboard a “Rail Force One” train, which took around 10 hours, for the second and final leg of his two-nation trip. His visit to Ukraine comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Russia, during which he held extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, largely with a focus on ending the conflict.

In June, PM Modi met with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy’s Apulia. During the meeting, he assured the Ukrainian President that India would continue to support a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

PM Modi also emphasised India’s belief in a human-centric approach to resolving the conflict. Additionally, President Zelensky invited the Prime Minister to visit Kyiv during their discussion.