Israeli Strike in Lebanon Kills 10

The Lebanese health department reported that an airstrike by Israel on Saturday in the southern part of Lebanon resulted in the deaths of 10 Syrians. This operation was part of Israel’s offensive against the storage sites of Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran.

This incident in the Wadi al-Kafur region in Nabatieh marks one of the deadliest episodes in the southern Lebanese territory since the escalation of tensions between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. These tensions intensified following the outbreak of conflict in the Gaza Strip in October.

Amid these developments, international parties have been working to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas militants. Diplomats believe a truce could potentially prevent a more significant conflict involving Lebanon.

The casualties from this recent attack included a family—a mother and her two children. Additionally, five others were injured, with the majority being of Syrian nationality, according to a statement from Lebanon’s health ministry. The Lebanese National News Agency identified the victims as Syrian refugees and laborers.

On the Israeli side, the military disclosed via their Telegram channel that their air force had targeted a Hezbollah armament depot in the vicinity of Nabatieh, close to the Israeli boundary.

Following the attack, Hezbollah retaliated by launching Katyusha rockets toward Ayelet HaShahar, a settlement in northern Israel. Although around 55 missiles were fired, no injuries were reported; however, the attacks triggered several fires, as per the Israeli military.

Furthermore, an earlier incident resulted in injuries to two Israeli soldiers, one severely, when a projectile launched from Lebanon hit the Misgav Am area.

The sequential assassinations of Hezbollah’s senior operations officer, Fuad Shukr, in south Lebanon, and Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, during his visit to Tehran, have heightened tensions with Hezbollah, Iran and their allies vowing retribution against Israel. Israel has acknowledged Shukr’s assassination but has remained silent on Haniyeh’s death.

In response to the growing crisis, diplomats from Western and Arab nations have intensified their mediation efforts in the region. Recent attempts to mediate between Israel and Hamas occurred in Qatar, with plans to continue discussions in Cairo.

After talks in Beirut, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty highlighted the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, expressing optimism for a resolution. The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Lebanon and Israel suffering losses. The historical backdrop includes a war between Hezbollah and Israel back in 2006.