Lebanon Reels Under Brutal Israeli Bombardment, Death Toll Surpasses 100
Lebanon is once again grappling with a devastating wave of violence as Israeli airstrikes continue unabated, claiming the lives of at least 105 people and injuring 359 others within the last 24 hours, Al Jazeera reports, citing health officials.
The relentless bombardment has targeted locations across Lebanon, including the heart of the capital, Beirut, for the first time in years. This escalation raises serious concerns of a potential descent into an all-out war.
Israeli authorities claim to have targeted dozens of Hezbollah sites, however, Lebanese officials insist that the strikes have struck civilian homes and buildings in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
One particularly chilling incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when an Israeli airstrike targeted the Kola bridge area of central Beirut, marking the first attack within the capital’s city limits since the start of hostilities last year. The bombing, which resulted in at least three fatalities, signifies a dangerous escalation of the conflict, shattering the perception of Beirut as a safe haven from Israeli attacks.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has claimed that the three individuals killed in the Beirut attack were members of their organization.
Furthermore, a separate Israeli strike in the southern el-Buss refugee camp reportedly killed Hamas commander in Lebanon, Fateh Sharif, and his family members.
Sunday witnessed another horrific incident when an Israeli airstrike leveled two residential buildings in Ain al-Delb near Sidon in southern Lebanon, claiming the lives of 32 people. Many families displaced by the conflict were sheltering in these buildings, making the tragedy even more devastating.
These strikes come in the aftermath of Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a series of air raids on Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli military also claims to have killed senior Hezbollah political official Nabil Kaouk.
Hezbollah, while yet to announce plans for succession, dismissed media speculation regarding Nasrallah’s replacement, emphasizing that any news about organizational changes would only be validated through an official statement.
Despite the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah’s leadership, the group continues to retaliate against Israel. Hezbollah announced several military operations targeting Israeli bases, including a rocket attack aimed at the city of Safad.
The current crisis began on September 23 when Israel launched a major bombing campaign against Lebanon, aiming to push Hezbollah away from its border. The offensive has left hundreds dead and caused widespread destruction across Lebanon, particularly in the south.
