Israeli airstrikes in a southern Lebanese town resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including two children, early on Monday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. This marked one of the most deadly days of Israeli attacks in recent weeks, raising concerns about a potential new Israeli military offensive in Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement from June aimed at ending hostilities between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.
A woman, claiming to be related to three of the deceased, reported that one strike targeted a residential building while children were preparing for school. The Israeli military stated that the strike was against individuals suspected of transferring weapons in the vicinity of Kfar Rumman town. At the scene, Reuters journalists observed schoolbooks belonging to children scattered amid the rubble of the demolished building. Rescue teams used heavy machinery throughout the morning to recover bodies from the wreckage.
An eight-year-old boy named Mustafa Farhat lost his mother and grandparents in the attack, with his father still missing as rescue efforts continued. The boy was receiving medical treatment in the hospital for his injuries. Mona Farhat, a relative, expressed frustration over the attack on their home, questioning the motives behind the targeting. Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that 11 individuals, including children and women, lost their lives in the residential building strike, while a separate drone attack on a civilian vehicle claimed the life of one medic and injured two others.
The airstrikes on the town occurred without prior evacuation warnings from the Israeli military. Israel’s defense forces claimed to have taken precautions to minimize harm to civilians by using precise weapons and aerial surveillance. The military stated that they were investigating reports of civilian casualties resulting from the strikes.
In response to Hezbollah’s alleged launching of explosive drones towards Israeli troops near the Ali al-Taher ridge, Israel escalated its strikes on towns north and west of the ridge in recent days. Security officials in Lebanon anticipated further escalations in the southern region in the upcoming weeks. Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in over 4,300 casualties since the conflict began, with ongoing military actions in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement.