Israeli strikes in central Beirut unsettle... ... LIVE: Iranian Intelligence Minister Khatib Killed: Israel

Israeli strikes overnight against central Beirut have destroyed the illusion of safe areas in the capital, residents and first responders said.

In the renewed fighting with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Israel has concentrated most strikes where the group has a strong presence in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

But several attacks early Wednesday hit city center neighborhoods, some without warning.

“Today, Beirut is no different from the southern suburbs,” fire brigade Capt. Neshat Berri said in the Bachoura neighborhood, where emergency crews dug through rubble.

Near a building damaged by a strike in the Basta neighborhood, resident Hassan Jaber said there was “no safety.”

“We will continue to be exposed to this. Beirut is no different (from other areas),” he said. “May God protect us.”