At least 19 people killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern, eastern Lebanon

By Yusuf Alioğlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon late Tuesday killed at least 19 people and injured 35 others.

The strikes targeted the districts of Nabatiyeh and Bint Jbeil in Nabatiyeh Governorate as well as the city of Sidon in South Governorate and Baalbek and Hermel districts in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate.

In Nabatiyeh, Israeli warplanes struck the Kassar Zaatar neighborhood, killing five people and injuring 21 others, according to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

In Bint Jbeil, Israeli aircraft targeted the village of Haris, killing two people, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

In Sidon, an airstrike on the town of Tefahta resulted in six fatalities.

In Baalbek, Israeli warplanes killed one person and injured four others in an attack on a home in the town of Nabi Sheet, according to the National News Agency, which did not specify the severity of the injuries.

In Baalbek-Hermel, an Israeli airstrike killed five people and injured 10 others in the al-Maali area, said the Lebanese Ministry of Health, which also did not provide details on the severity of the injuries.

In a separate incident, the Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on three areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon's capital.

According to Anadolu, the strikes hit the neighborhoods of Laylaki, Borj El Brajneh and Haret Hreik.

No immediate reports of casualties or damage were provided.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli army issued warnings to residents of four buildings in these areas, instructing them to evacuate ahead of the strikes.

Beirut’s southern suburbs, also known as Dahiyeh, are a Hezbollah stronghold.

Haret Hreik, located in the heart of the suburbs, covers an area of 1.82 square kilometers (0.70 square miles) and is 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Beirut.

The densely populated area is described as the political stronghold of the Lebanese group, housing its security and political offices, including its command center, parliamentary offices and Shura Council.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it says are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.

At least 2,546 people have been killed and more than 11,860 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio