Israeli airstrikes in a southern Lebanese town resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including two children, early on Monday, as reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry. This marked one of the deadliest days of Israeli bombardment in recent weeks, raising concerns of a potential escalation in hostilities despite a ceasefire agreement reached in June between the Israeli military and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Witnesses reported that one of the attacks targeted a residential building where children were preparing for school. The Israeli military claimed the strike was aimed at individuals observed transferring weapons in the vicinity of the town Kfar Rumman. At the scene, remnants of children’s schoolbooks were scattered amid the rubble left by the destroyed building.
Rescue teams, using heavy machinery, worked tirelessly to recover bodies trapped under the debris. Among the casualties was eight-year-old Mustafa Farhat, who lost his grandparents and mother in the attack. His father was still missing as Mustafa received medical treatment in the hospital.
Mona Farhat, a relative of Mustafa, expressed frustration and defiance, questioning the motives behind the attack and emphasizing their determination to stay on their land. The Health Ministry confirmed that 11 people, including two children and four women, lost their lives in the assault on the residential structure.
Furthermore, a separate Israeli drone strike on a civilian vehicle in the town claimed the life of a medic and injured two others, according to the Health Ministry. The strikes on the town occurred without prior evacuation warnings from the Israeli military.
In response to the incident, Israel’s military stated that measures were taken to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision weapons and aerial surveillance. They promised to investigate reports of civilian casualties resulting from the airstrikes. The military also reported that Hezbollah had launched two explosive drones towards Israeli troops near the Ali al-Taher ridge in southeastern Lebanon.
Since Israel’s clearance of Hezbollah fighters from the ridge, the region has witnessed increased Israeli strikes on nearby towns, prompting fears of further escalations in southern Lebanon. Lebanese security officials anticipate heightened tensions in the area in the upcoming weeks.
