Friday, July 14 2006 14:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beirut (Lebanon): Israeli air raids on suburbs of the Lebanese capital where Hezbollah has its strongholds killed three people and wounded 55 overnight, police said today (July 14, 2006).

Israel's widening military offensive brought to 50 the number of Lebanese killed since Wednesday, when Israel attacked Lebanon to rescue two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah guerrilla.

An Israeli civilian and eight Israeli soldiers have also been killed since Israel launched one of its heaviest offensives in Lebanon since invading its neighbour and occupying Beirut 24 years ago.

The overnight raids today targeted Hezbollah's leadership, which is based in the densely Shiite Muslim neighbourhoods to the south of Beirut that are practically an extension of the Lebanese capital.

The Israeli military spokesman's office confirmed the strikes.

The Israeli army said it had attacked 15 targets including: a gas depot south of the port town of Sidon, the highway linking Beirut to the Syrian capital of Damascus at several locations, bridges in Beirut and the Hezbollah's headquarters in the southern suburbs.

"During the night, Hezbollah also fired rockets at northern Israel, causing no damage and no casualties," the Israeli military said.

In Beirut, the impact of at least seven missiles were heard before dawn today, according to an AP photographer, reporter and other witnesses. Anti-aircraft fire from the ground echoed in other suburbs of Beirut as the planes roared over the Lebanese capital.