Lebanon continues to reel under Israeli airstrikes targeting the South, Bekaa and Baalbeck. These attacks, of rarely seen intensity, are causing significant loss of life and worsening an already critical humanitarian crisis.
While buzzing reconnaissance drone flights over Beirut went on incessantly on Friday, the Israeli army increased its ground and air operations in many Lebanese regions.
Bekaa
According to al-Markazia news agency, a total of 27 people were killed in a massive wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting 12 towns in Baalbeck-Hermel district in east Lebanon since Friday morning. An attack on Amhaz, north of Baalbeck claimed the lives of 11 persons.
A house in Younin was demolished after two attacks. Seven bodies were recovered so far, as rubble removal operations are still underway. It was reported that 12 people were inside the residence and their fate is still unknown.
Also, in the northern Bekaa, Harbata and Rasm al-Hadath were subjected to consecutive airstrikes.
Bazaliya, Maqne and Nahla were also attacked, with 4 deaths reported.
A religious shrine in Labweh was hit by Israeli warplanes and successive raids were reported on Hadath Baalbeck and Hosh al-Nabi.
Deadly Israeli Raids in the South
Attacks intensified in the South, where several towns were heavily hit. Tyre was targeted again by airstrikes. One of these strikes was particularly devastating: a building on the seafront collapsed, according to an AFP photographer on the scene. Rescue workers are trying to find victims under the rubble, but a precise death toll has not yet been established.
The towns of Kafra, Yater and Jwaya were also targeted, resulting in several injuries. Other localities, such as Siddiqin, Zebqine and Aitit, as well as Bint Jbeil, where a garage was destroyed by a missile, were also hit. Residents continue to flee these areas, already suffering from daily bombardments. The Israeli army claims to be continuing its operations against Hezbollah infrastructures, despite the heavy consequences for civilians.
For its part, Hezbollah retaliated with extensive retaliatory strikes, targeting Israeli forces and military positions along the border with hundreds of missiles, claiming more than 95 Israeli casualties and over 900 wounded. The pro-Iranian group claimed that its fighters had repelled Israeli units attempting to infiltrate the border areas of Chihine, Jebbayn and Wadi Hammoul, under heavy air and artillery cover.
Southern Suburb
A cautious calm prevailed in Beirut’s southern suburb on Friday after a night of heavy bombing, while surveillance drones have been flying at low altitude over Hezbollah’s devastated stronghold since the early morning.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah issued a series of statements claiming responsibility for several attacks on northern Israel. A statement by the pro-Iranian group announced targeting a gathering of Israeli troops in the Maslakh neighborhood, south of Khiam inside Lebanese territory, “with a large rocket salvo.”
Hezbollah also declared firing a rocket at Kiryat Shmona and targeting Maalot with a batch of rockets.
In parallel, Israeli media reported that nine persons were injured due to rockets fired on the Galilee.
Earlier on Friday, Hezbollah announced shelling Carmiel settlement with rockets.
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