20 killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon

By Wassim Seifeddine

BEIRUT (AA) - Death toll from Israeli airstrikes in the Baalbek District, Baalbek-Hermel Governorate of eastern Lebanon rose to 20, with 14 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Saturday.

Eleven were killed in the town of Kniseh, five in Hadath, and two each in Jamaliyah and Nabi Chit.

Since Oct. 31, the Israeli army has escalated its air attacks in the Baalbek District, claiming to target Hezbollah infrastructure, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Baalbek is famed for its towering Roman ruins and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A massive Israeli air campaign in Lebanon has been ongoing since late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, an escalation in year-long cross-border warfare since the start of the Gaza war.

More than 3,100 people have been killed and over 13,900 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel launched an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​