Beirut - LBN
Beirut, Lebanon, Oct 10, 2024 (AFP) -State media said two Israeli strikes hit the central area of Lebanon's capital on Thursday, the third such attacks on Beirut since Israel escalated its air campaign last month.
Israel has repeatedly pounded southern Beirut suburbs, the bastion of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, for more than two weeks but strikes have rarely hit in the city's centre.
"The Israeli enemy launched a strike in Beirut, targeting a building near the Khatam al-Anbiya complex in Nweiri, with another strike targeting the Ras al-Nabaa area near the al-Amiliyah building," the National News Agency said.
It earlier said ambulances had rushed to the targeted sites.
An AFP journalist in Beirut heard three loud explosions.
AFP live footage showed two plumes of smoke billowing in between densely-packed buildings where lights were still on in the windows.
Earlier this month, Israel carried out a deadly air raid in Beirut, hitting an emergency services rescue facility run by Hezbollah, killing seven workers, the service said.
On September 30, an Israeli drone strike on a building in Beirut's busy Cola district killed three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the leftist armed group said.
Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and its foe Israel have been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire for nearly a year in fallout from the Gaza war.
But since September 23, Israel has escalated its air strikes on targets in Lebanon, killing more than 1,200 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes, according to official figures.
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Lebanon state media says Israeli strikes hit central Beirut
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Lebanon state media says Israeli strikes hit central Beirut
Svitolina says mental health break fueled her run to first Australian Open semifinal
- The 31-year-old Ukrainian swept aside French Open champion Coco Gauff 6-1 6-2
- Svitolina, the 12th seed, reached the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time
MELBOURNE: Elina Svitolina credited her first-ever Australian Open semifinal run to the mental health break she took at the end of last season — a move she believes rejuvenated her.
The 31-year-old Ukrainian swept aside French Open champion Coco Gauff 6-1 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, ending the American third seed’s bid for a third Grand Slam title.
Svitolina, the 12th seed, reached the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time after three quarter-final appearances, keeping alive her hopes of a maiden major title.
“It was difficult decision in one hand, but then I spoke with my team and family,” Svitolina told reporters. “If I would keep pushing last year, I think I would not start here. I would be exhausted, and even not sure if I would be injury-free.
“So for me it was important to just step back, and I’m very happy that I did that. Of course, now it’s easy to say because the results have been great ... but I still think it’s something that helped me.” Svitolina won the Auckland Open this month, her 19th WTA title, after ending her 2025 season early to focus on her mental health.
Asked whether she surprised herself with how quickly she rediscovered her form, Svitolina said: “I tried to trust myself ... When I’m fresh, when I’m mentally ready to face difficult situations, then I can play well.”
Svitolina next faces Belarusian top seed Aryna Sabalenka, against whom she holds a 1-5 losing record.
“It’s no secret she’s a very powerful player,” Svitolina said. “The power in all parts of her game is her strength. I think she’s very consistent for the past years with everything that she does on the court. I’ll have to be ready for that, try to find the ways and the little holes, little opportunities in her game.”
