The Civil Defense center in Doures in the vicinity of the ancient city of Baalbeck in east Lebanon, sustained a massive direct hit by Israeli warplanes on Thursday evening, causing many casualties among the 13 members who were at the center at the time of the strike.
According to initial reports, at least eight members of the civil defense have been killed, while rescue work and rubble removal of the smashed building was still underway.
Baalbek-Hermel Governor, Bashir Khodor, said in comments to “Al-Jadeed TV, “a massacre was committed in Doures in the civil defense center, and we lost communication with the head of the regional civil defense center in Baalbek, Bilal Raad.
In the afternoon, an Israeli airstrike targeted Baalbeck, specifically the Shaab neighborhood, killing 10 people and injuring 13 according to the latest count.
Expanding Ground Operations
The Israeli Army announced earlier Thursday that it was intensifying its military operations against Hezbollah, including expanding ground attacks to new areas of southern Lebanon under the command of the Galilee Division.
Israeli newspaper "Israel Hayom," citing an Israeli security source, reported that "the Army is preparing to establish buffer zones within Lebanese territory," adding that "establishing these zones within Lebanon will help prevent infiltration and shooting towards Israel." The source emphasized that "Hezbollah must be defeated to prevent rocket fire."
However, Israel's Home Front Command later reported that sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona and several towns along the eastern sector of the border with Lebanon. The Israeli Minister of Energy stated, "We must retain the freedom to operate within Lebanon if any agreement is breached."
The Israeli Army announced it had detected the launch of 10 rockets from Lebanon and intercepted a drone launched from the east as it flew through Syrian airspace before attempting to enter Israel.
In this context, "Maariv” newspaper, citing an American intelligence official, reported that "Hezbollah remains capable of carrying out attacks abroad." The official added that "Hezbollah's capabilities have been significantly damaged, but its ground forces along the border with Israel remain largely intact."
Southern Lebanon
The situation on the ground in southern Lebanon has regained intensity. Throughout the day, Israeli artillery bombarded the vicinity of several towns, using 155mm phosphorus shells in some cases, particularly in the town of Yuhmur. The shelling resulted in the total destruction of several homes. This came after a drone strike on a motorcycle killed its driver. A farmer was also killed in Israeli shelling on the town of Habbariya.
A journalist narrowly survived an airstrike on the town of Deir al-Zahrani, sustaining minor injuries, while artillery shelling targeted the Litani River near the town of Blat.
Beirut’s Southern Suburb
Hezbollah’s hotbed in Beirut’s southern suburb remained the scene of intense Israeli strikes for several consecutive days. The Israeli Army issued evacuation warnings to residents since Thursday morning, followed by a spate of airstrikes targeting the Ghobeiry area near Rawdat al-Shahidayn, as well as Choueifat's surroundings, specifically Amrousiyeh near Dar al-Ouloum.
Throughout the day, the Israeli Army also warned residents of Burj al-Barajneh and Haret Hreik before conducting strikes on Mraijeh and Rweiss. In the afternoon, they renewed calls for evacuations in Ghobeiry before shelling multiple buildings.
Hezbollah
In response, the Iran-backed Hezbollah announced a missile attack late Thursday afternoon on the "Stella Maris" naval base west of Haifa.
Since morning, Hezbollah said it has engaged in fierce clashes with the Israeli Army near Aitaroun and Ainata in Bint Jbeil district, with reports of casualties among Israeli soldiers. Hezbollah stated that it had targeted an Israeli military gathering between Hula and Markaba in the east, and struck the Jal al-Alam border site with missiles while it shelled Nahariya, Yesud HaMa’ala, the Doviv barracks, and the settlements of Manara and Dishon, as well as Netiv HaShayara and Nahariya.
Casualty Update
On Wednesday night, the Ministry of Public Health announced that the total death toll since the start of hostilities more than a year ago has reached 3,386, with 14,417 injured.
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