Arabic version: الضربات الإسرائيلية في لبنان تؤدي إلى 39 حالة وفاة

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes have killed 39 people in a single day of intense bombardment. Among the casualties, at least seven individuals, including a child, died in a strike on the southern town of Saksakiyeh. The strikes also left 15 others injured, including three children. According to BBC News, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated their operations were aimed at the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, acknowledging reports of civilian casualties.

The IDF claimed it targeted Hezbollah militants operating from a military structure in the area, emphasizing that precautions were taken to minimize civilian harm. However, the Lebanese ministry reported that another strike targeted a motorbike in Nabatieh, killing a Syrian national and his 12-year-old daughter. The ministry described how the drone struck the father first and then targeted the girl, who required life-saving surgery.

Overall, the Lebanese health ministry indicated that over 120 people have died in the country due to Israeli attacks in the past week, without distinguishing between combatants and civilians. The Israeli military has been conducting strikes primarily in southern Lebanon, asserting that the goal is to eliminate Hezbollah’s presence near the Israeli border.

Hezbollah has retaliated by launching drones and rockets at northern Israel, injuring three Israeli soldiers in a recent attack. The ongoing conflict has seen Israel carry out frequent airstrikes since a ceasefire was agreed upon in April 2024, with the situation escalating significantly following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader by US and Israeli forces earlier this year.