Airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, including one near airport

Israel conducted air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs overnight Thursday, with one raid hitting an area near Lebanon's only international airport.

The pre-dawn raids came after Hezbollah claimed a slew of attacks on Israel, including a missile strike targeting a military base near Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport.

The strike near the Beirut airport caused heavy damage to a heater factory warehouse, an AFP photographer reported.

Caretaker Transport Minister Ali Hamieh said the airport continued to operate as normal, with planes taking off and landing with no issue.

The raid caused minor damage to some of the airport's buildings, including flag carrier Middle East Airlines' premises.

The terminal building was safe, an airport official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media.

Abu Elie, a taxi driver, was at the airport when the strikes hit.

"The entire car park shook. People were carrying their suitcases on their shoulders and running," he said.

"When I made it to the street, there was so much smoke I had to turn the headlights on."

Israel's airports authority said Wednesday that operations at its main airport near commercial hub Tel Aviv were not affected after Hezbollah claimed it fired missiles at a military base nearby.

The overnight strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs were so intense many residents of the city were unable to sleep.

"We've had to flee our homes several times. Sometimes we sleep in the car," said Ramzi Zaiter, a resident of south Beirut.

"Death has become a matter of luck. We can either die or survive."

Since September 23, more than 2,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad.