NABATIYEH, Lebanon – The deadly aftermath of two Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon has left 10 civilians dead, as reported by Lebanese state media. This marks the deadliest day in over four months of cross-border exchanges. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a senior commander of the Hezbollah group’s elite Radwan Force, Ali Dibs, in the strikes, alleging his involvement in previous attacks on Israel. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of three of its fighters but did not provide details about their roles. Escalating tensions led to Israel’s caretaker Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowing to continue responding to Hezbollah’s attacks.
The U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the Lebanon-Israel border expressed concerns over the latest “exchanges of fire” and urged all sides involved to cease hostilities to prevent further escalation. The strikes demolished a building in Nabatiyeh, killing seven members of the same family, including a child, as reported by the state-run National News Agency. In the nearby village of Souaneh, a woman and two young children were killed. The Lebanese civilian death toll included six women and three children, in addition to the three Hezbollah fighters. This tragedy brought back memories of Israeli bombardments during previous conflicts, leaving residents feeling helpless and determined to defend themselves.
In response to Israel’s escalating aggression, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strikes and called for calm among all parties. The killings mark a significant escalation in the ongoing cross-border clashes, which began with the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. As tensions continue to rise, government institutions, schools, and Lebanese University closed in protest of the airstrikes. The people impacted by the strikes vowed to continue resisting and defending their land against further aggression.