Israeli Airstrike in Lebanon Claims Multiple Lives
An Israeli airstrike on a village north of Beirut early Sunday morning resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 20 individuals and left six others injured, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry. The strike targeted the Almat area in the Jbeil district, prompting rescue workers to search through the debris for survivors, with reports indicating that among the deceased were three children.
At this time, there has been no immediate response or comment from the Israeli military regarding the airstrike. This incident follows a series of deadly attacks that occurred the previous day across various regions in Lebanon. On Saturday, Israeli strikes led to the fatalities of 20 people in the ancient city of Baalbek and its surrounding towns, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Baalbek, located in northeastern Lebanon, has increasingly become a focal point of military aggression as Israel intensifies its operations against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, forcing many residents to flee the city. The Israeli military stated that its strikes were aimed at “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites” near the port city of Tyre and within Baalbek itself.
The health ministry of Lebanon reported five separate deadly incidents on Saturday alone, with one particularly catastrophic event resulting in the deaths of 11 people. In total, 14 individuals sustained injuries during these attacks. Details surrounding the casualties remain sparse, and it is unclear whether the deceased include civilians or members of Hezbollah.
Initially, Israel’s military efforts were concentrated on southern Lebanon, with the primary objective of crippling Hezbollah’s capabilities to launch rocket attacks into Israeli territory. However, in recent weeks, these military operations have expanded to encompass various cities and towns throughout Lebanon, extending far beyond the immediate border areas, including Baalbek.
Despite the escalation of Israeli military actions, Hezbollah has continued its cross-border offensives. Reports indicate that the group launched approximately 70 projectiles—presumably missiles or drones—across the border on Saturday, followed by an additional 10 on Sunday, as per statements from the Israeli military. Many of these projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems or landed in unpopulated areas.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant displacement, with approximately one-fifth of Lebanon’s population, estimated at around 5.3 million, forced to leave their homes, as reported by the Lebanese government.
