Post by : Bianca
Haleem
At least 18 people were killed and 33 others injured after a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted residential areas across southern Lebanon early Friday, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Center said rescue teams faced difficulties reaching affected locations because Israeli attacks continued throughout the night. Officials added that the casualty figures remain preliminary and could rise as rescue operations continue.
Several Towns Targeted in Nabatieh District
Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the strikes heavily affected towns in the Nabatieh district, including Harouf, Sharqieh and Kfar Sir. Additional attacks were reported in Kfar Remmen, Kfar Tebnit and nearby areas, causing deaths, injuries and reports of missing people.
Residents described one of the heaviest nights of bombardment in recent months as Israeli forces intensified military operations across the region.
Hours of Continuous Bombardment
The attacks began around 1:30 a.m. local time when heavy artillery shelling struck Nabatieh city and several nearby towns, including Kfar Remmen, Zebdine, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Habboush, Sajd and Jabal al-Rihan.
Around 2:10 a.m., Israeli warplanes launched multiple airstrikes on Nabatieh city, Kfar Tebnit, Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the Rihan Heights.
A further wave of attacks followed at approximately 3:00 a.m., targeting the Kfar Remmen-Nabatieh area, the university district of Nabatieh city and the Baydar neighborhood in Harouf. Preliminary reports said eight people were killed in these strikes.
Another airstrike hit the area between Sharqiyeh and Doueir, destroying a house and killing four people.
More Casualties Reported Across the Region
Israeli artillery also shelled the Rahibat neighborhood in Nabatieh city.
In Kfar Sir, three people were killed in an airstrike, while another strike targeted Qsaybeh around 4:00 a.m. Additional artillery shelling hit the outskirts of both Kfar Sir and Qsaybeh.
Further attacks later struck Kfardjal and Kfar Tebnit.
At around 5:00 a.m., an Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle near the Doueir municipality building, killing one person and injuring another.
The town of Jebchit was also hit by several drone strikes and artillery attacks.
Around 5:15 a.m., Israeli warplanes launched another strike on Adchit, followed by additional attacks on the Kfar Remmen-Nabatieh area and the town of Toul, while shelling continued around Jebchit.
Attacks Continue Despite Regional De-escalation Efforts
The latest escalation comes despite recent diplomatic efforts and a reported Iran-US agreement aimed at reducing tensions across the region, including along the Lebanon-Israel border.
International efforts to prevent a wider conflict have continued in recent weeks, but violence in southern Lebanon has remained intense.
Four Israeli Soldiers Killed in Separate Incident
In a separate development, four Israeli soldiers were killed before dawn on Friday in southern Lebanon after an aerial object struck their tank.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), those killed included an armored battalion commander and three soldiers.
Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported that the incident took place near Kfar Tebnit. The military is investigating whether the object was an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah Drone Attack Injures Israeli Soldiers
Later on Friday, the IDF said another explosive drone launched by Hezbollah seriously wounded an Israeli officer and lightly injured four additional soldiers in southern Lebanon.
The incidents mark another escalation in the ongoing conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have continued despite international calls for restraint.
Rising Tensions Along the Border
The latest violence highlights the fragile security situation in southern Lebanon. With casualties reported on both sides and military operations continuing, concerns remain high over the possibility of a broader regional escalation.
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