Israel has stepped up its airstrikes against the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in recent days.
The deadliest attacks on Saturday took place in the Baalbek-Hermel region in the east, where 20 people were killed, 11 of them in Knaisseh, the Ministry of Health in Beirut said.
Another 14 people were injured here. In southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah also has a strong presence, at least 13 people were killed, including seven rescue workers in the village of Deir Qanun.
In the village of Hanouiyeh, five people were killed, the ministry added. In Nabatieh, also in southern Lebanon, 12 people were injured.
Sibling killed
The Israeli military says in a statement that its aircraft have attacked “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure targets in the areas of Tire and Baalbek”.
The attacks take place the day after five siblings were killed in Israeli attacks in Tyre, reports the AP news agency. Altogether, at least seven people were killed in the airstrikes in the coastal city late on Friday evening. Two of them were children, according to the ministry. 46 others were injured.
Says they attacked Hezbollah
On Saturday, rescue teams were still searching the ruins of several buildings that were bombed in the attack in Tyr the previous evening.
Youssef Jundi says that the airstrikes destroyed several buildings in his home town of Tyr. His longtime neighbor and friend, Ghazwa Dabouk, was killed, Jundi says. Dabouk’s three deaf sisters Elissar, Rabab and Fidaa were also killed, along with their brother Ali, who had autism.
Israel claims that one of the Hezbollah militia’s command centers was the target of the attack, which was aimed at the Burj al-Baraneh district.
Warning
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israel sent a warning before the attack, asking people to leave the area.
According to Lebanese media, Israeli warplanes also attacked the al-Jamous district where the residents were not warned in advance. The news agency Reuters writes that the Israeli military has previously ordered large parts of Tire’s population to evacuate, but that the Israeli military spokesperson did not publish any such order on X ahead of Friday’s attack.
Hezbollah states on Saturday that it has fired tens of rockets at northern Israel, as well as shot down a drone over southern Lebanon.
At least 3,136 people have been killed and 13,979 injured in Israeli attacks against Lebanon in the past year, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday. Among those killed are 619 women and 194 children, according to the ministry.
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**Interview with Dr. Miriam Katz, Middle Eastern Affairs Analyst**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Katz. Recent airstrikes by Israel against Hezbollah have intensified, particularly in Lebanon’s Baalbek-Hermel region. Can you provide some context on what prompted these strikes?
**Dr. Katz**: Certainly. The situation has escalated due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel’s military has frequently targeted Hezbollah’s infrastructure, which they claim poses a significant threat to their national security. The recent bombings, especially the strikes in Baalbek and southern Lebanon, seem to be a response to Hezbollah’s military activities and provocations in the region.
**Editor**: The attacks in Knaisseh and Deir Qanun have resulted in numerous casualties, including civilians and rescue workers. How does the international community typically respond to such incidents?
**Dr. Katz**: Unfortunately, civilian casualties are often a tragic consequence of such military operations. The international community usually calls for restraint and a ceasefire, urging both sides to prioritize the protection of civilians. However, geopolitical alliances can complicate matters, with some nations siding with either Israel or Hezbollah based on broader strategic interests.
**Editor**: The killing of five siblings in Tyre reportedly took place the day before these recent strikes. Could you elaborate on how such incidents might influence public sentiment in the region?
**Dr. Katz**: The death of civilians, especially children, can significantly inflame public sentiment. Families who lose loved ones often become part of a larger narrative of victimization, which can galvanize local and regional support for Hezbollah. This compounding of grief and anger can also lead to increased recruitment for militant groups as communities seek to defend themselves against perceived aggression.
**Editor**: what do you think lies ahead? Are there any signs that indicate a potential de-escalation or worsening of the situation?
**Dr. Katz**: Predicting the future in such a volatile environment is challenging. While diplomatic efforts are sometimes made, they are often overshadowed by immediate military actions. If the airstrikes continue and Hezbollah responds, we could see further escalation. That said, both sides are acutely aware of the potential consequences of an all-out war, which might lead to a temporary de-escalation. However, without a substantial political dialogue, the cycle of violence is likely to persist.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Katz, for your insights on this complex situation.
**Dr. Katz**: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
