Analyst in Beirut on Israel’s “negotiation tactic” of attacking civilian areas

(24 Sep 2024) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Beirut, Lebanon - 24 September 2024 1. Wide of destruction and people standing 2. Mid of broken windows, damaged wall 3. Various of destruction of building floor 4. Mid of man in destroyed building floor 5. Wide of cordoned off street 6. SOUNDBITE(Arabic) Maan Khalil, head of Ghobeiry Municipality: "It was a targeting of innocent people, in residential and commercial areas. Today, the enemy is betraying, just like they are in all areas. They are only targeting civilians. They think they can pressure the resistance by targeting civilians. We are here, and the people are here." 7. Various of destruction 8. SOUNDBITE(Arabic) Hussein Mortada, political analyst: "We are talking today about a large number of civilians. There is an insistence by the Israeli occupation to kill as many civilians as possible because it is part of their policy. They believe that if they kill and displace large numbers, they could use this as a card in future negotiations, in their view, of course. This means pressuring the area of the resistance, and the resistance itself, by (targeting) civilians, so that they can return the settlers to the settlements. But I think the resistance will not back down from its options, nor will it accept any bargaining over this." 9. Various of destroyed cars being pulled out STORYLINE: A Lebanese political analyst on Tuesday suggested that the latest Israeli airstrikes on a densely populated neighborhood Beirut is part of a broader Israeli tactic to pressure Hezbollah. "They believe that if they kill and displace large numbers, they could use this as a card in future negotiations," said Hussein Mortada. Israel said it killed a top commander with Hezbollah’s missile and rocket unit Tuesday as the Israeli military traded fire with Hezbollah again and the death toll from a massive Israeli bombardment climbed to nearly 560 people. Military officials said Ibrahim Kobeisi, who they alleged was responsible for launches towards Israel, was killed in a strike on Beirut. The military said “other key commanders” were with Kobeisi at the time of the strike, but officials did not say whether any of the others were killed or wounded. Israeli military officials said they carried out dozens of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, including on a cell that fired rockets overnight, and that tanks and artillery struck targets near the border. They also said they carried out a “targeted strike” in Beirut without giving details. Lebanon's Health Ministry said six people were killed and 15 were wounded in the strike in a southern suburb, an area where Hezbollah has a strong presence. The country's National News Agency said the attack destroyed three floors of a six-story apartment building. This comes a day after Israel barrages on Lebanon racked up the highest death toll in any single day in Lebanon since Israel and Hezbollah fought a bruising monthlong war in 2006 with over 500 people dead. AP video shot by Fadi Al Tawil and Mohammed Annouti =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2c501fcc3b4b4fc…

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