Death toll rises in Beirut as over 20 killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza school compound

The death toll has continued to rise after Israel launched a deadly strike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut Friday. The attack, which Israel says targeted Hezbollah militants, flattened a multistory residential building in a Hezbollah stronghold.

Elsewhere, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise amid the war in Gaza, an Israeli strike on a school compound in the enclave has killed at least 22 — most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Here’s what you need to know about the Beirut strike:

Hezbollah commander killed: A deadly Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut on Friday has left at least 31 people dead, including a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, a major to a blow for a group already reeling from attacks on pagers and walkie-talkies this week. Ibrahim Aqil, part of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, was assassinated along with several other commanders, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, accusing them of planning to raid and occupy communities in Galilee in northern Israel.
Over 30 dead: The Lebanese health minister, Firass Abiad, said at a news conference Saturday that 31 people died in the strike, including three children and seven women. Three Syrian citizens were killed, he said, and 68 people were wounded. Rescue teams were still clearing the rubble Saturday, Abiad said, and searching for missing people. They had retrieved body parts that are unidentifiable.
Lebanon’s security efforts: Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said on Saturday that the recent attacks in the country have compelled the government to “intensify our efforts, especially intelligence and security efforts on the ground.” Mawlawi said they will “closely monitor the movement of foreigners, hotel activities, and closely monitor Syrian and Palestinian camps. We will also pay greater attention to anything that might lead to internal security instability.”