Israeli air raids hit southern Lebanon, hospitals damaged, 20 killed
A strike on a residential building in Seir al-Gharbiya killed nine people, while raids in the Al-Baqbouq area killed at least five others
Israeli forces launched a new wave of air strikes across southern Lebanon on Friday, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens despite a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 16, according to Lebanese officials and media reports.
The attacks struck several areas north of Tyre, as well as the Nabatieh district and Rashaya al-Wadi, marking one of the heaviest days of bombardment since fighting escalated on March 2, says Al Jazeera.
A strike on a residential building in Seir al-Gharbiya killed nine people, while raids in the Al-Baqbouq area killed at least five others, local authorities said. Additional fatalities were reported in Deir Qanoun en-Nahr, al-Rafid and al-Housh.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Israeli strikes also caused what hospital officials described as "severe damage" to Hiram Hospital near Tyre, wounding between 25 and 30 medical and administrative staff members. It was the third strike near the facility since the latest escalation began in March.
Tebnine Hospital also sustained damage to its emergency room, intensive care unit and surgical ward following an Israeli attack on May 21, Lebanese health officials said.
Lebanon's Civil Defence said one of its rescue teams came under attack in the town of Kfar while attempting to recover casualties from an earlier strike, injuring several emergency workers.
The Israeli military has issued displacement warnings for several southern Lebanese towns, including Burj Rahal, Tyre and Nabatieh, prompting residents to flee.
Reporting from the edge of what Israel designated a "danger zone," Al Jazeera described scenes of "psychological terror" as families and children left their homes in fear and uncertainty over whether they would be able to return.
Lebanon's army said an Israeli strike also hit a military barracks in Nabatieh, wounding one soldier.
In response, Hezbollah said it attacked two Iron Dome launchers at the Biranit barracks in northern Israel.
More than 3,100 people have been killed in Lebanon since the escalation began on March 2, according to Lebanese authorities, including 123 medics, 210 children and 300 women.
On the Israeli side, 23 people, including 22 soldiers and one contractor, have been killed during the same period, according to Israeli figures.
Iran's foreign minister reiterated Tehran's support for Hezbollah, while Iranian officials said they had conveyed a proposal through Pakistan aimed at ending the conflict permanently and ensuring Lebanon was included in any future ceasefire agreement.
