UPDATE – Overnight Israeli strikes kill 23 people in Lebanon

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, REVISES HEADLINE, DECK

By Mohammed Al-Ragawi

BEIRUT (AA) – At least 23 people were killed and eight others injured in overnight Israeli airstrikes in eastern and southern Lebanon, Lebanese media said Monday.

The state news agency NNA said nine people lost their lives in two airstrikes in the eastern towns of Zighrin and Qasr.

Israeli warplanes also bombed Bednayel town, killing four people and injuring three others, NNA said. Another strike targeting a building in the same town killed a father, wife, and two daughters.

One more person was killed when Israeli warplanes hit a building in the town of Saraaine El-Tahta, the same broadcaster said.

An Israeli airstrike was also reported in Baalbek city, but no injuries were reported.

In southern Lebanon, five people were killed in two airstrikes on Sunday night in the towns of Kharayeb and Chehabiyeh near Tyre city.

Israel has escalated its air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it claims are targets of the Hezbollah group in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.

Nearly 3,200 people have been killed and over 13,800 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar