BEIRUT (Reuters) -A strong Israeli airstrike focused central Beirut early on Saturday, safety sources stated, shaking the Lebanese capital as Israel pressed its offensive in opposition to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

A number of highly effective blasts shook Beirut at round 4 a.m. (0200 GMT), Reuters witnesses stated. No less than 4 rockets had been fired within the assault, two safety sources stated.

Sirens might be heard as ambulances raced to the scene of the blast in Beirut’s Basta neighbourhood.

Footage broadcast by Lebanon’s Al Jadeed confirmed a minimum of one destroyed constructing and several other others badly broken round it.

It marked the fourth Israeli airstrike this week concentrating on a central space of Beirut. On Sunday an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah media official within the Ras al-Nabaa district.

Israel launched a serious offensive in opposition to Hezbollah in Lebanon in September, following practically a yr of cross-border hostilities ignited by the Gaza conflict, pounding broad areas of Lebanon with airstrikes and sending troops into the south.

The battle started when Hezbollah opened fireplace in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas after it launched the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel.