Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon over the past day have resulted in at least 40 fatalities, including several children, according to Lebanese officials. The strikes have predominantly targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, particularly the coastal city of Tyre, where seven individuals lost their lives late Friday.
Although the Israeli military had previously advised evacuations in multiple areas of Tyre, there were no new evacuation orders issued via social media before the recent attacks. Among the deceased were two children, and ongoing rescue efforts have led to the recovery of additional body parts, which will undergo DNA testing for identification.
On Saturday, strikes in neighboring towns resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including seven healthcare workers associated with rescue organizations linked to Hezbollah and its ally, Amal. Additionally, the health ministry reported at least 20 more casualties from strikes around Baalbek, located in the eastern plains.
The Israeli military claims the targets included Hezbollah infrastructure, operational apartments, and weapon caches in both Tyre and Baalbek. The Lebanese health ministry has reported that over the last year, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,136 people and injured 13,979 in Lebanon, with the toll including 619 women and 194 children.
Since October 2023, fighting has intensified between Israel and Hezbollah, which has stepped up its rocket and drone assaults on Israeli territory. On Saturday, Hezbollah announced over 20 operations, including one targeting a military factory near Tel Aviv.
The southern suburbs of Beirut, once vibrant neighborhoods and a stronghold of Hezbollah, have suffered extensively. Many buildings have been reduced to rubble, with only Hezbollah’s flags visible among the wreckage. Witnesses report seeing residents rummaging through the debris, salvaging what they can. As one man, Hassan Hannawi, put it, “We are trying to gather as many of our possessions as we can, so we can manage to live off them, nothing more.”
