Rare Israeli strike in central Beirut kills 7 as troops battle Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike on an apartment in central Beirut has killed seven Hezbollah-affiliated first responders. Israel has been pounding areas of the country where the militant group has a strong presence but has rarely struck in the heart of the capital. The airstrike late Wednesday hit an apartment in central Beirut, not far from the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister’s office and parliament. There was no warning before the strike. The strike came after eight Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where Israel announced the start of what it said were limited ground operations earlier this week. The region was meanwhile bracing for Israeli retaliation following an Iranian ballistic missile attack.