Israel strikes central Beirut for the first time, destroying medical clinic, killing at least nine people [Video]

Israeli warplanes struck the very heart of Beirut for the first time since its invasion, shortly after midnight on Thursday, killing at least nine people in a crowded Sunni neighbourhood close to several embassies, government offices and the United Nations’ headquarters for Lebanon.

The attack destroyed the second-floor premises of a civilian health clinic operated by the Islamic Health Authority, which is funded by Hezbollah’s financial arm.

When The Globe and Mail arrived on the site on Thursday morning, the scene was one of chaos, with dozens of health and construction workers sifting through the rubble and police trying to keep the crowds away. Wrecked cars and scooters were being removed while concrete, glass and other debris were scraped off the streets and loaded into containers.

Kamal Znoud, general manager of the clinic said two to four Israeli missiles struck at about 20 minutes after midnight. “The was no warning …