Rescuers have been searching for survivors following a series of Israeli airstrikes that claimed at least 52 lives and injured 72 others across northeastern Lebanon, as reported by the country’s Health Ministry. The bombings struck villages that had largely escaped the worst of Israel’s ongoing air campaign against the militant group Hezbollah.
In addition to the casualties in the north, Israeli warplanes targeted and destroyed numerous buildings in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh. However, most residents had evacuated the area prior to the attacks, leading to no reported casualties there.
This latest escalation comes amidst increasing international calls, particularly from the United States, for a cease-fire in the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon. Despite this, Israel’s military efforts against Hezbollah appear to be intensifying, extending beyond the border regions.
The current violence is part of a larger conflict that has raged since last year, resulting in the deaths of at least 2,900 individuals and injuries to approximately 13,150 in Lebanon alone, according to the Health Ministry. Alarmingly, it is reported that a quarter of the fatalities have been women and children.
Simultaneously, the war against Hamas in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 43,000, as reported by Palestinian health officials, without differentiating between civilian and combatant casualties. The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militants launched a significant attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, along with the abduction of 250 individuals.
Sources By Agencies
