Middle East war escalates as Israel strikes Beirut

The Middle East war between Israel and Iran entered its seventh day on Friday as Israeli forces launched air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, expanding military operations and raising fresh concerns about regional security and the safety of Gulf energy infrastructure.

The Israeli military said the bombardment marked the “next phase” of its campaign against Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon. Before the strikes, Israeli authorities issued an evacuation warning covering the entire southern suburb area of Beirut, urging residents to leave immediately to avoid the attacks. The announcement triggered widespread panic, with thousands of people fleeing their homes and traffic building up on roads leading out of the affected districts.

Witnesses said displaced families gathered along Beirut’s coastline after leaving their neighbourhoods, many uncertain where to seek shelter. Lebanese authorities reported that at least 123 people have been killed since Monday, while 683 others have been injured and more than 90,000 residents displaced as fighting intensified across the country.

The conflict has expanded well beyond Lebanon and Israel, highlighting the growing geopolitical risk to global security and energy supply routes. Military incidents linked to the war have been reported near the Sri Lankan coast, where a United States submarine reportedly torpedoed an Iranian warship. In the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan warned of retaliation after a drone struck an airport on its territory. Iranian officials denied involvement and blamed Israel, but Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Tehran of terrorism and warned the incident would not go unanswered.

Several governments have increased military readiness as the regional crisis deepens. Australia has deployed two military aircraft to the region, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada has not ruled out the possibility of military involvement should the conflict widen further.

Iranian authorities said the death toll from United States and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory has risen to 1,230 people, although the figure could not be independently verified. The United States military has reported six personnel deaths since the war began last weekend.

In Tehran, images showed damaged buildings, burnt vehicles and smoke rising from sites struck by air raids. Residents described the situation as one of the most difficult moments in recent Iranian history. One Tehran resident told AFP that many people were trying to remain hopeful despite the destruction and uncertainty.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had not sought a ceasefire and did not see any reason to negotiate with the United States under current conditions. In an interview with NBC News, he warned that any attempt at a ground invasion would result in severe consequences.

Israeli officials said their military has destroyed about 60 percent of Iran’s missile launchers and 80 percent of its air defence systems during the first week of the conflict. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said the campaign would continue and warned that additional military operations were planned.

Iran responded with new missile attacks targeting Israel, triggering explosions across Tel Aviv. Emergency services worked to contain a fire at a residential building near the city’s commercial district following the latest barrage.

The conflict has also spread into the Gulf region, an area that hosts major oil and gas infrastructure crucial to global energy markets. Iranian missile and drone attacks have targeted several Gulf locations since the war began. Regional authorities say at least 13 people have been killed, including seven civilians and an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait.

Bahrain reported that Iranian strikes targeted two hotels and a residential building in the capital Manama early on Friday, though authorities said there were no fatalities. Saudi Arabia said its air defence systems intercepted three ballistic missiles aimed at a military air base. Qatar confirmed intercepting a missile attack as powerful explosions were heard across Doha and smoke rose above the city skyline.

Officials in the United Arab Emirates said debris from a drone intercepted over Abu Dhabi injured six people. Analysts warn that continued attacks in the Gulf region could threaten the stability of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply routes, particularly those passing through key maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz.