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. Amir Elmasri, Middle East Security Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Elmasri. We’ve seen a significant escalation of airstrikes by Israel against Hezbollah in recent days, particularly in areas like Baalbek and southern Lebanon. Can you provide some context on what’s driving these recent attacks?
**Dr. Elmasri:** Thank you for having me. The escalation can be linked to a series of provocations and ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The recent airstrikes appear to be a response to perceived threats from Hezbollah’s increasing military capabilities and activities along the border. Furthermore, the tragic loss of life, including the five siblings in Tyre, has likely intensified Israel’s resolve to target what it deems as Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure.
**Interviewer:** We’ve seen reports of significant casualties resulting from these strikes, including civilians and rescue workers. How might this shift the dynamics on the ground?
**Dr. Elmasri:** The heavy civilian toll is deeply concerning. Such losses can provoke outrage and further inflame public opinion against Israel within the region and beyond. This could lead to increased recruitment and support for Hezbollah, potentially complicating the security landscape in Lebanon. It also raises challenges for humanitarian efforts, as the civilian infrastructure is severely impacted, making rescues and recovery operations very difficult.
**Interviewer:** What implications do these developments have for the broader regional stability, especially considering Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon and its connections to Iran?
**Dr. Elmasri:** These developments increase the risk of a broader regional conflict. Hezbollah’s relationship with Iran is crucial; as tensions rise, Iran could increase its support for Hezbollah, leading to further military escalations. The decades-old Israel-Hezbollah conflict also influences neighboring countries and can create a ripple effect, prompting other groups or nations to respond, which could destabilize the entire region even more.
**Interviewer:** In light of this violence, what steps do you think the international community should take to address the situation?
**Dr. Elmasri:** The international community must prioritize diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. A focus on dialogue between Israel and Lebanon, involving influential players like the United States and European nations, is essential. Additionally, humanitarian aid should be ramped up to address the immediate needs of those affected by the airstrikes. Long-term, we need to address the underlying issues that contribute to the ongoing cycle of violence in the region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Elmasri, for your insights. It’s clear that the situation remains extremely volatile, and we will continue to monitor developments closely.
**Dr. Elmasri:** Thank you for having me. It’s important we keep these discussions going as the situation evolves.
