A series of Israeli airstrikes also hit several towns in southern Lebanon, according to media reports.

The pre-dawn raids came after Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, including a strike targeting a military base near Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health said Israeli strikes on the Bekaa Valley and the densely populated ancient city of Baalbek in east Lebanon killed 40 people.

An AFP photographer reported that the strike near the Beirut airport caused heavy damage to a heater factory warehouse.

Minister of Transport Ali Hamie said the airport continued to operate normally, with planes taking off and landing without issues.

The raid caused minor damage to some of the airport's buildings, including the premises of flag carrier Middle East Airlines.

The terminal building was safe, an airport official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media.

"The entire car park shook. People were carrying their suitcases on their shoulders and running," Abu Elie, a taxi driver who was at the airport when the strikes hit, told AFP.

"When I reached the street, there was so much smoke. I had to turn the headlights on," he added.

'Death became a matter of luck'
 

The overnight strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs were so intense that many residents of the city were unable to sleep.

"We've had to flee our homes several times. Sometimes, we sleep in the car," Ramzi Zaiter, a south Beirut resident, told AFP.

"Death has become a matter of luck. We can either die or survive," he said.

Since 23 September, over 2,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, according to Lebanese Minister of Health Firass Abiad.

On Wednesday, Minister Abiad warned that Lebanon is experiencing multiple crises, the largest of which is the war, Al Jazeera reported.

"The government's primary message is to apply pressure on Israel to end the aggression," Abiad added, calling on the international community to continue its efforts to secure a ceasefire.