An Israeli airstrike on the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, a major town in south Lebanon, killed 16 people, including the town’s mayor. This was the most significant attack on a Lebanese state building since Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah began. Over 50 people were also wounded in the strike.
Lebanese officials condemned the attack. They stated that Israel’s actions are shifting from targeting Hezbollah to the Lebanese state. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Israel intentionally targeted a meeting of the municipal council, which was discussing relief efforts for people displaced by the Israeli offensive.
Fears of a wider regional conflict are rising after Israel vowed to retaliate for an Iranian missile attack on October 1. The U.S. military responded by striking five underground weapons storage sites in Yemen, targeting Iran-aligned Houthi forces. The Houthis have carried out nearly 100 attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza.
Attack on Syria’s Port
On Thursday, Israel also struck Syria’s port city of Latakia. Syrian state media reported fires in the city and added that Syria’s air defenses confronted Israeli attacks. The strikes come amid growing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which has led to cross-border violence.
Israel had issued an evacuation notice for Nabatieh on October 3. However, the town’s mayor, Ahmed Kahil, refused to leave. The U.S. State Department acknowledged the complexity of the situation but avoided commenting on the specific Israeli strike. The department’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, emphasized that Hezbollah often operates from civilian locations, and the U.S. supports limited strikes to target the group.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry
Israel confirmed it struck dozens of Hezbollah targets in Nabatieh and dismantled a tunnel network near the Israeli border. Lebanon’s health ministry reports that Israeli operations over the past year have killed at least 2,350 people and displaced over 1.2 million. The casualties include civilians, women, and children, though the exact breakdown between combatants and non-combatants is unclear.
The conflict has also taken a toll on Israel, with around 50 soldiers and civilians killed.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli tanks fired on one of its watchtowers near Kfar Kela. Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident, but Israel previously called for UNIFIL to move its personnel out of combat zones for their safety.
Despite increasing international concern, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant insisted that Israel will not stop its offensive against Hezbollah. He stated that any negotiations would occur “under fire.” Gallant’s remarks came during a visit to northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israel to ensure the safety of UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces during this volatile period.
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