Israeli airstrikes kill 13 in southern Lebanon as conflict with Hezbollah intensifies
At least 13 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese security sources, as Israel expanded operations against Hezbollah and the group claimed new attacks on Israeli forces.
- Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people, including nine reported in Dayr Debba.
- Hezbollah claimed new attacks against Israeli forces as fighting continued along the border.
- Lebanese authorities say nearly 3,700 people have been killed and 1.2 million displaced since 2 March.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people on Wednesday, according to Lebanese security sources, as Israel pressed its campaign against Hezbollah and the Iran-backed group claimed fresh attacks against Israeli forces in the south.
The dead included nine people killed in the village of Dayr Debba, about 8 km east of the city of Tyre, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Reuters footage showed vehicles ablaze in the southern city of Sidon following an Israeli airstrike.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also urged the Lebanese people to join Israel’s fight against Hezbollah, according to France24.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run NNA reported that Israeli forces seized a local councillor and a municipal worker from the border town of Kfarshuba. Israel said it had “apprehended” two people who approached its soldiers.
More than three months after the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran ignited conflict across the Middle East, Lebanon remains a major frontline in the war.
The conflict in Lebanon contributed to a wider regional escalation earlier this week when Israel struck Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut. Iran subsequently launched a missile attack on Israel, prompting Israeli strikes on Iran before both countries halted their attacks.
Hezbollah entered the war on 2 March, saying it was retaliating for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader at the start of the conflict.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, almost 3,700 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks since 2 March. The ministry said 730 of those killed were women, children or medics.
Lebanese authorities also estimate that around 1.2 million people have been displaced by the conflict.
