Israeli strikes kill 18 in Southern Lebanon, escalating border tensions
The deadliest strike hit the town of Tire Debba in the Tyre district, where nine people were killed and seven others wounded in initial reports.
KATHMANDU: At least 18 people have been killed and several others injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency, civil defense teams, and health officials.
The deadliest strike hit the town of Tire Debba in the Tyre district, where nine people were killed and seven others wounded in initial reports.
Hezbollah said it targeted gatherings of Israeli troops and military vehicles in Qantara and Bayada on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military stated it carried out strikes over the past 24 hours on Hezbollah infrastructure sites in Tyre and other areas of southern Lebanon, also claiming it had killed Hezbollah fighters.
The Israeli army further confirmed intercepting a drone launched by Hezbollah toward its forces in southern Lebanon earlier in the day.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in a statement issued by his office, said he would continue pursuing diplomatic efforts, stressing that restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty must be achieved through negotiations.
He condemned ongoing attacks, warning that “war brings nothing but shared losses,” and called for an end to Israeli strikes and withdrawal of Israeli forces, rejecting foreign interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to support action against Hezbollah, claiming that Israel has killed around 10,000 Hezbollah fighters and vowing continued operations against the group “wherever they are.”
Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center reported that since March 2, Israeli strikes have killed 3,696 people and injured 11,413 others across the country.
