A gunman launched an attack on the U.S. Embassy near Beirut on Wednesday morning, resulting in a shootout with Lebanese soldiers. An embassy security guard was injured in the incident. The assailant was shot, captured, and subsequently hospitalized, according to military and embassy officials.
The attack occurred amidst heightened tensions in Lebanon, exacerbated by ongoing clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces along the border. Local media reported that the gunfight lasted almost half an hour, with witness Joe Abdo noting he heard “around 15 to 20 rounds of gunfire.” The Lebanese military later identified the gunman as a Syrian national, and local media published images showing the attacker wearing an ISIS insignia, though no group has claimed responsibility.
The attack comes at a time of significant strain in Lebanon, which has been grappling with political deadlock, economic hardship, and the impact of recent military conflicts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from his right-wing government members, visited the northern border on Wednesday, indicating that Israel was prepared to take “very intense action” against Hezbollah.
The Lebanese military reported deploying troops around the embassy and surrounding areas to secure the location. The U.S. Embassy confirmed that no staff members were harmed, crediting the quick response of Lebanese forces and the embassy’s security team.
This incident is reminiscent of past attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, including the deadly bombing in 1983 that killed 63 people, an attack attributed to Hezbollah. In light of the recent shooting, the embassy closed for the day and urged U.S. citizens in Lebanon to remain vigilant and avoid border regions.
Investigations are ongoing, with Lebanese authorities conducting raids in the attacker’s hometown and arresting several individuals linked to him. The U.S. State Department is coordinating with Lebanese officials to determine the motive behind the attack.
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