Israeli airstrikes in a southern Lebanese town resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including two children, on Monday, as reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry. This marked one of the deadliest days of Israeli bombardment in recent weeks, sparking fears of a renewed military campaign in Lebanon despite a ceasefire established in June to halt hostilities between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.
According to a witness who claimed to be related to three of the deceased, one of the strikes targeted a residential building where children were preparing for school. The Israeli military stated that the attack was aimed at individuals seen transferring weapons in the vicinity of Kfar Rumman.
In the aftermath of the strike, children’s schoolbooks were scattered among the rubble of the demolished building. Rescue teams, aided by heavy machinery, worked diligently to extract bodies trapped beneath the debris.
Eight-year-old Mustafa Farhat lost his grandparents and mother in the attack, with rescue workers continuing the search for his father’s body while the boy received medical care at a hospital. Mona Farhat, a relative, expressed dismay over the incident, questioning the purpose of the attack and asserting their determination to remain on their land.
The Health Ministry confirmed that 11 individuals, including two children and four women, perished in the residential building strike. Additionally, a separate Israeli drone attack on a civilian vehicle in the town claimed the life of one medic, while two others sustained injuries.
Notably, the town did not receive an online evacuation warning from the Israeli military prior to the strikes. Israeli authorities stated that measures had been implemented to minimize harm to civilians, including using precise munitions and aerial surveillance. They acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and pledged to review the circumstances.
In a related development, Hezbollah allegedly launched two explosive drones towards Israeli troops near the Ali al-Taher ridge in southeastern Lebanon. Israel previously announced the clearance of Hezbollah fighters from the ridge, resulting in heightened Israeli strikes on neighboring towns. Lebanese security officials anticipated further escalations in the region in the upcoming weeks.
The recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon has claimed over 4,300 lives since Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The ceasefire following the initial violence saw a significant reduction in hostilities, yet Israeli forces have continued to demolish villages in the southern security zone without prior evacuation alerts.