In brief
Israeli airstrikes continue to inflict casualties in Lebanon as military operations against Hezbollah intensify, claiming the lives of dozens.
The Israeli military launched extensive airstrikes across northern and southern Lebanon overnight Thursday, targeting numerous locations as part of an expanding offensive against Hezbollah. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that these attacks have resulted in numerous casualties, with over 76 individuals confirmed dead.Initially concentrated in southern Lebanon to curtail Hezbollah's rocket fire into Israel, the Israeli operations have broadened significantly in recent weeks, affecting various cities and towns, including areas far from the Lebanese-Israeli border. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah had fired over 40 projectiles into Israel on Thursday, leading to one Israeli soldier's death during clashes in northern Lebanon.The most devastating airstrikes reportedly occurred in and around Baalbek, a city steeped in history located in northeastern Lebanon, where at least 40 fatalities have been reported. Additional strikes across Lebanon led to another 36 deaths on Wednesday, although details regarding the affiliations of the deceased remained unclear. The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted 20 sites in the Baalbek region, while reports from Sidon indicated that three people lost their lives due to airstrikes in the southern coastal city.Additionally, five peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured by a drone strike in Sidon on Thursday, underscoring the escalating violence in the area. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with both sides engaged in an ongoing conflict that raises concerns for civilian safety and regional stability.
