The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon’s Baalbek district has risen to 57, with numerous injuries reported. Lebanon’s National News Agency detailed the casualties and extensive damage in the region.
Residential Areas Targeted in Baalbek
Israel launched 25 attacks targeting residential neighborhoods, including Ras al-Ain. The strikes caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and local infrastructure, affecting entire communities.
In Amahz village, a single airstrike killed 12 members of two families, leaving the community in shock. Other fatalities were reported across the district, including eight in Younine, six in Bednayel, and five in Saeeda. Tragically, another attack in Al-Alaq killed an entire family of four.
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Hezbollah Responds With Counterattacks
In response, Hezbollah launched rockets at an Israeli intelligence base in the Tel Aviv suburbs, causing injuries to at least 19 Israelis when a rocket struck a building in Tira. Sirens blared across central Israel, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
Historical Tensions and Escalation
Israel claims the attacks aim to target Hezbollah operatives. However, the conflict is rooted in Israel’s longstanding occupation of certain territories, which has led to cross-border skirmishes over the years. Tensions escalated further after Israel launched a major offensive in Gaza in October 2023, intensifying regional hostilities.
According to Lebanese health authorities, nearly 2,900 Lebanese have died since Israel’s campaign began last year. The situation in Gaza is even more severe, with over 43,000 reported deaths and 101,000 injuries, marking a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Lebanese Officials Condemn Attacks
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Israel’s recent attacks and criticized its mass evacuation orders. “These directives amount to an additional war crime,” he said, highlighting the impact on Lebanese civilians. Mikati urged the international community to pressure Israel to end its attacks, which have caused immense suffering in Lebanon and Gaza.
Talks of Potential Ceasefire
Mikati mentioned a possible ceasefire after a recent phone conversation with US envoy Amos Hochstein, who indicated it might happen before the upcoming US elections on November 5. However, Mikati stressed that any ceasefire would likely depend on the implementation of the United Nations resolution that concluded the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
As the conflict intensifies, humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent aid. Civil defense teams in Lebanon are working tirelessly on rescue operations and clearing debris from recent airstrikes. Conditions in Gaza remain dire, with limited access to basic necessities.
The escalating conflict has caught the world’s attention, with international organizations emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the affected areas. The situation remains tense, and any further escalation could deepen the suffering on both sides.
The Broader Impact
This latest wave of violence underscores the fragile state of peace in the region. The conflict’s long-term consequences remain uncertain, but the mounting civilian toll is sparking global concern. As military operations continue, the focus is increasingly on how to address the humanitarian crisis and seek diplomatic solutions for a lasting peace.
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