In a tragic turn of events, the civilian death toll has surged to 10 following two Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, as reported by Lebanese state media on Thursday. This marks the deadliest day in over four months of ongoing cross-border exchanges.
The strikes targeted the city of Nabatiyeh and a village in southern Lebanon, responding to projectiles from Lebanon that had claimed the life of an Israeli soldier. In Nabatiyeh, seven members of a single family, including a child, lost their lives as a building was partially destroyed. Meanwhile, in the village of Souaneh, a woman and her two young children were also among the casualties. Six women and three children are reported among the Lebanese civilian casualties, with an additional three Hezbollah fighters losing their lives in the airstrikes on Wednesday.
The situation intensified with Hezbollah’s vow to retaliate for the strikes, signaling heightened tensions in the region. These events come as a significant escalation in the continuous cross-border exchanges that began with the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on October 7.
The hostilities on Wednesday also saw a fatal strike from Lebanon hitting the northern Israeli town of Safed, claiming the life of a female Israeli soldier and injuring eight others. The conflict has taken a toll on both sides, leading to increased concerns about the escalating violence.
In response to the airstrikes, government institutions, schools, and the Lebanese University declared closure on Thursday as a form of protest against the tragic events unfolding in the region. The situation remains tense, with international observers closely monitoring developments and urging restraint to prevent further loss of civilian lives.
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