Image Credits -Al Jazeera
In a violent escalation of tensions, the Lebanese Health Ministry has reported that seven individuals were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon. The strikes, which occurred late Wednesday night, have intensified fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Lebanon.
The attack targeted areas near the border, causing significant damage to residential structures and infrastructure. According to local sources, the deceased include both civilians and members of local militant groups, though precise details on their identities and affiliations remain unclear. In addition to the fatalities, several others have been reported injured, with some in critical condition.
The Lebanese government has condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of national sovereignty and international law.
In a statement, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Rashid Bou Habib denounced the attacks as an aggressive act and called for urgent international intervention to prevent further escalation. The United Nations has also voiced concern, urging both parties to exercise restraint and resume dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed the operation, stating that the strikes were in response to cross-border rocket fire into northern Israel earlier in the week. The IDF alleges that the targeted sites were used to launch these rockets, attributing the violence to militant factions based in Lebanon.
The latest escalation follows a period of relative calm, and the situation remains highly volatile. Analysts warn that if hostilities continue, they could destabilize the region further and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis already affecting Lebanon.
As the situation develops, international actors are closely monitoring the developments, hoping to mitigate the risk of a broader conflict that could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East.