Local official killed in Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – A local Lebanese official was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media on Thursday.

Hasan Rumeiti, head of Borj Qalaouiye municipal council, lost his life when Israeli warplanes bombed the town late Wednesday, the state news agency NNA reported.

Israeli airstrikes were also reported in the towns of Aita al-Shaab, Ramieh and Yater.

NNA said at least 17 overnight airstrikes were carried out by Israeli fighter jets in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The headquarters of the Lebanese TV channel Al-Mayadeen was destroyed in one of these attacks.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it claims 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 2,574 people have been killed and more than 12,000 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 Ahmed Asmar