The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah has claimed the lives of at least 30 individuals following an Israeli air strike on an apartment building in Barja, a coastal town south of Beirut. According to Lebanon’s Civil Defence agency, the attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, devastated a four-storey structure reportedly housing displaced families. In the wake of this tragedy, the Israeli military asserted that their operation targeted terror infrastructure linked to Hezbollah.
The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated rapidly over recent days. On Wednesday, 40 more fatalities were reported across the eastern regions of Baalbek and Bekaa, as confirmed by the Lebanese health ministry. This uptick in casualties includes 16 people killed in Nasriyah and 11 in Baalbek city. Lebanon’s Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada noted that an air strike had inflicted serious damage on the historic Manshiya building—an Ottoman-era site near UNESCO World Heritage ruins—highlighting concerns over cultural losses amid the ongoing conflict.
A local resident, Moussa Zahran, recounted the harrowing experience of rescuing his family from the rubble, emphasizing the dangers posed by falling debris during the attack.
Furthermore, an Israeli military official stated that operations were aimed at eliminating Hezbollah operatives in the area. Reports indicate that Hezbollah responded by launching approximately 170 rockets into northern Israel, resulting in several casualties on both sides.
As hostilities continue, more than 2,400 people have died across Lebanon since fighting intensified six weeks ago. The scale of displacement has also risen sharply, with over 1.2 million people forced from their homes. The Israeli military’s operations have reportedly decimated much of Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure while addressing security concerns for residents along its northern border.
In light of these developments, Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s administration plans to submit a formal complaint to the UN Security Council regarding these military actions. With tensions persisting and both sides engaged in a relentless cycle of violence, many fear that without diplomatic intervention or peace negotiations, further loss of life and cultural heritage is imminent.
As this conflict unfolds, international observers remain vigilant about its impact not only on Lebanese society but also on regional stability as a whole.
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