Israel strikes Beirut, US warns Iran may hit Lebanese universities

Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes on Friday that the military said had targeted militant "infrastructure" in Lebanon's capital, as the U.S. warned that Iran may target universities in the country as the Middle East war rages.



Israel has invaded southern Lebanon and pledged to raze all Lebanese villages in the border area in a fight against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants that has become the most violent spillover of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.



Israel also has frequently struck Beirut, particularly its Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs. Earlier on Friday, Israel's military warned residents to leave seven neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs, warning of impending strikes.



Reuters reporters heard three loud blasts echoing across the city on Friday around sunset, a time when many Christians in the country were marking Good Friday despite the escalating hostilities.