Deadliest Israeli airstrikes on Beirut kill at least 22

At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured after Israeli strikes hit a densely populated area of central ­Beirut on Thursday night.

They were the deadliest such attacks to target the Lebanese capital since Israel intensified its bombardment campaign on its northern neighbour and invaded parts of the country two weeks ago.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said the strikes hit two buildings, one eight-storey and the other four-storey. Loud bangs sounded, thick columns of smoke rose and ambulance sirens rang out across the city. One resident described the blasts as “like an earthquake”.

“The Israeli enemy’s attacks on the capital Beirut this evening resulted in a new toll of 22 people killed and 117 ­injured,” the health ministry said. It