Beirut struck by Israel; Iran claims US’s F-15E downed, A-10 Warthog hit

Two Israeli air raids struck the southern suburbs of Beirut on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported, marking a fresh escalation in hostilities in Lebanon. 

The strikes came shortly after the Israeli military announced it was targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital. 

The attacks are part of a broader wave of Israeli operations in Lebanon that have intensified over the past month.

Since March 2, at least 1,368 people have been killed and 4,138 others injured in Israeli strikes across the country.

The casualties include 125 children and 91 women, underscoring the growing humanitarian toll of the conflict.

The violence has also triggered a massive displacement crisis, with more than one million people forced to flee their homes, according to available estimates.

Southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs have been among the worst-affected areas, as fears of a wider regional war continue to mount.

Iran claims downing of two US warplanes, one crew member still missing

Amid the escalating conflict, Iran has made explosive claims regarding US military losses.

Tehran said it had downed two American warplanes, one in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, and another that reportedly crashed in the Gulf.

While two US crew members have been rescued, at least one service member remains missing, according to Iranian accounts. There has been no official confirmation from US authorities on these claims.

The reported downing of US aircraft has added a new dimension to the crisis, raising concerns of confrontation between Iran and the United States.

Lawmaker slams airman betting; Polymarket removes listing

The situation drew sharp political reactions in Washington as well. US Congressman Seth Moulton criticised prediction platform Polymarket for allegedly allowing bets on the fate of the missing American airman.

Calling it “disgusting,” Moulton said such actions were insensitive given that a search and rescue operation was still underway.

In response, Polymarket said it had removed the betting market, admitting it violated internal standards and should not have been posted. The platform added that it is investigating how the listing bypassed its safeguards.

With Israeli strikes intensifying in Lebanon and Iran making claims of direct engagement with US forces, fears are growing that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional confrontation involving multiple state and non-state actors.