Israeli airstrikes rock southern suburbs of Beirut and cut off a key crossing into Syria

Beirut: Israel carried out a series of massive airstrikes overnight, hitting suburbs of Beirut and cutting off the main border crossing between Lebano...

Beirut: Israel carried out a series of massive airstrikes overnight, hitting suburbs of Beirut and cutting off the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria for tens of thousands of people fleeing Israeli bombardment.

The blasts in Beirut's southern suburbs sent huge plumes of smoke and flames into the night sky and shook buildings kilometers (miles) away in the Lebanese capital.

The Israeli military did not comment on what the intended target was, and there was no information yet available on casualties.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported there were more than 10 consecutive airstrikes in the area.

The Israeli military also said Friday that a strike in Beirut the day before killed Mohammed Rashid Skafi, the head of Hezbollah’s communications division.