Beirut, Lebanon – Intense Israeli airstrikes continued on Saturday morning, targeting various areas in southern and central Lebanon. This has exacerbated the humanitarian situation and increased the death toll. The strikes followed a series of attacks across the country since the previous night.
Widespread targeting of the South and the Bekaa Valley
Lebanese media reported that Israeli warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes targeting the city of Nabatieh and the towns of Kfar Tebnit, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and Kfar Remman in southern Lebanon. This coincided with renewed artillery and aerial bombardment of other towns in the Nabatieh district.
In central Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes also hit the town of Labaya in the Western Bekaa Valley. This reflects an expansion of the scope of the attacks, which now include vital areas relatively far from the front lines.
death toll rises
Lebanese official sources announced that the death toll from the Israeli raids carried out from the night hours until Saturday morning had risen to five dead. This escalation comes after a bloody night that witnessed the killing of two people in a drone attack in southern Lebanon. Although the ceasefire agreement entered into force, this raised questions about the seriousness of the commitment to calm.
Diplomatic moves amid the crisis
In the context of diplomatic efforts, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the call, Rubio affirmed the United States’ support for Lebanon and stressed the importance of joint efforts to achieve security and stability in the country.
These discussions come at a time when the international community is attempting to contain the escalating crisis, which threatens further deterioration.
A catastrophic overall outcome
These events come amid a new and tragic toll announced yesterday, Friday, by the Public Health Emergency Operations Center in Lebanon. The intense Israeli airstrikes targeting southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley from midnight Thursday until Friday afternoon resulted in 47 deaths and 97 injuries, including a large number of women and children.
The targeted areas are on high alert, with rescue and civil defense teams working under extremely difficult conditions to recover victims and treat the wounded. Meanwhile, fears are growing that these airstrikes will continue and have serious repercussions for national and civilian security in Lebanon.
