Israeli strike on northern Lebanon kills at least 14 people

Photo : AP

At least 14 people were killed, and 15 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the northern Lebanese town of Ain Yaaqoub, Akkar, on Monday, according to the town’s mayor, Majed Drbes. The strike, which marks the northernmost point in Lebanon hit by Israeli forces since the start of hostilities in October 2023, targeted a building where 30 people were residing, including several Syrian refugees. Drbes confirmed that some individuals remained trapped under the rubble, and rescue efforts were underway.

The Israeli military issued a statement on Monday, asserting that the airstrike targeted a “military structure with a terrorist inside,” based on what it described as precise intelligence. The military emphasized that it took steps to minimize collateral damage but insisted that reports regarding uninvolved casualties were exaggerated.

This airstrike follows an earlier raid on the town of Al-Saksakieh in the Sidon District, which, according to the Lebanese health ministry, resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and left another seven injured. This raid was part of a series of Israeli operations targeting locations in Lebanon as part of its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.

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In the wake of these developments, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, spoke on social media platform X on Tuesday, reiterating that Israel would continue to strike Hezbollah positions with full force. He made it clear that there would be no ceasefire, even as the situation in Lebanon worsened. This statement came just a day after Israel had reported some progress toward a ceasefire deal, although Hezbollah denied having received any new proposals for a truce.

The ongoing conflict, which began with escalations in October 2023, has caused significant devastation in Lebanon. Over 3,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon over the past year, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties. The continued bombardment and lack of a clear ceasefire agreement have further strained relations and deepened the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.