An Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre resulted in the tragic deaths of at least seven individuals, including five siblings – three of whom were deaf and mute, according to local officials and residents on Saturday.
The upsurge in fatalities in Tyre occurred as the Israeli air force conducted multiple airstrikes across various regions in southern and eastern Lebanon. This series of attacks followed the bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier in the day, which reportedly caused extensive damage to numerous buildings, as reported by state media.
Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, claimed responsibility for launching a barrage of rockets targeting northern Israel and announced that it had successfully shot down a drone over southern Lebanon. The group stated that Israel retaliated against the location where the drone fell, although there has been no immediate acknowledgment from the Israeli military confirming this action.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the airstrikes aimed at Tyre late Friday night also left 46 individuals injured. They indicated that further casualties were discovered among the debris, and DNA testing would be necessary to identify some of the victims.
A local resident, Youssef Jundi, recounted the destruction caused by the airstrikes, stating that the attack ravaged various buildings in the coastal town. He shared that his longtime neighbor, Ghazwa Dabouk, was among those who lost their lives. The airstrike also claimed the lives of Dabouk’s sisters, Elissar, Rabab, and Fidaa, as well as their brother Ali, who had autism.
The Israeli military revealed that it targeted the offices of Hezbollah’s intelligence unit in Tyre and a command and control center associated with the group within the city. Historical context shows that over 3,000 people lost their lives during the protracted 13-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The tension escalated sharply after Hezbollah commenced rocket fire into northern Israel the day following Hamas’ unexpected attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which intensified the conflict in Gaza. Both Hezbollah and Hamas maintain alliances with Iran.
For almost a year, the violence remained largely confined to border regions between Israel and Lebanon. However, there was a significant escalation on September 23, marked by intensive Israeli airstrikes in the southern and eastern parts of Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut. This led to hundreds of fatalities and the displacement of nearly 1.2 million residents.
Israel initiated a ground assault in southern Lebanon on October 1, resulting in considerable devastation in border towns, while making minimal territorial gains within Lebanon. Israeli forces claim they are targeting and dismantling Hezbollah’s weaponry and command facilities near the border, which include a complex network of tunnels constructed by the group.