Lebanon reports at least 11 dead in Israeli strikes on Beirut

At least 11 people were killed and 48 others injured in an Israeli attack on Thursday in Beirut, the Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported.

Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported two air raids in central Beirut. The first targeted an eight-storey building in al-Nuwairi, a crowded district.

The second attack targeted a four-storey building in the nearby al-Basta area, and the building completely collapsed as a result, NNA added.

Thursday's attacks were the third to hit central Beirut since Israel started a military campaign in Lebanon last month targeting the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militia, sparking fears of an all-out regional war.

A resident of al-Nuwairi told dpa, "We heard two loud bangs and suddenly all was on fire and the screams of the wounded were heard."

Angry residents of the area prevented local and foreign journalists who arrived at the scene following the strikes to approach the buildings