Mother and two children among 10 casualties in Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon

In NABATIEH, Lebanon, at least 10 Syrian nationals were killed by an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon as reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strike took place in Wadi al-Kfour in Nabatieh province and is considered one of the deadliest incidents in Lebanon since Hezbollah and the Israeli military began exchanging strikes on October 8. This escalation followed an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, leading to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Hezbollah stated that it would cease its attacks once a truce is established in the Gaza Strip.

Among the casualties were a woman and her two children, with five others sustaining injuries, two of whom are in critical condition. The Israeli military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, mentioned that the strike targeted a Hezbollah weapons depot in the southern province. Mohammad Shoaib, who manages a slaughterhouse in the area, described Wadi al-Kfour as an “industrial and civilian area” hosting factories producing various materials.

Relatives of the deceased individuals, who were factory workers residing in the area, denied the presence of weapons at the site. They clarified that the facility contained materials for construction purposes. Hezbollah has not yet provided a statement regarding the recent strikes.

Efforts by the Lebanese government and international entities have been ongoing for weeks to halt the clashes that have persisted since July, keeping the region in a precarious state. Earlier last month, an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s senior commander, accused by Israel of orchestrating a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The incident claimed the lives of 12 young individuals. Additionally, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in Iran, widely believed to be linked to Israel.

Despite vows of retaliation from Tehran and Hezbollah, no further strikes have been carried out as diplomatic initiatives and discussions for a Gaza cease-fire are underway in Qatar. The 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel lasted six weeks culminating in a stalemate. Since October 8, over 500 individuals, predominantly fighters from Hezbollah and other armed factions, have been killed, with about 100 civilians and non-combatants among the casualties. In Israel, 22 soldiers and 24 civilians have lost their lives, leading to tens of thousands of displacements along the tense border.

Reporting from Beirut.