Rescue teams were actively engaged in searching for individuals missing under the debris near Baalbek in eastern Lebanon following an Israeli airstrike that struck a civil defense center the previous night, resulting in at least 13 fatalities.
All those who lost their lives in the attack that targeted the town of Douris were identified as employees and volunteers associated with the emergency services, as stated by the Lebanese Civil Defense. Additional remains have also been found, which will require DNA analysis for identification, according to their announcement.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense expressed profound sorrow over what they termed a direct assault on their personnel. They emphasized that their team would persist in responding to emergency situations and fulfilling their humanitarian duties, despite the enormous challenges and sacrifices involved.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of utilizing ambulances and medical establishments for weapon transport and storage. However, the Israeli military has refrained from commenting on the specific strike against the civil defense facility in Baalbek.
Since September, Israel has intensified its military efforts deeper within Lebanon amidst its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. As reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry, over 3,300 individuals have been killed, and more than 14,400 have sustained injuries during the 14-monthlong conflict.
The current Israel-Hamas war ignited after an incursion by Palestinian militants into Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of roughly 1,200 people, primarily civilians, along with the abduction of 250 individuals. Subsequently, Lebanon’s Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire into Israel beginning October 8, 2023, in support of Hamas in Gaza.
The ongoing 14-month war in Gaza has taken a significant toll, with local health officials reporting the loss of over 43,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children. The violence has also claimed around 76 lives in Israel, including 31 military personnel.
In related developments, Israeli officials announced the transport of blood supplies into Gaza in an effort to address the humanitarian crisis within the region. The Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian aid, COGAT, confirmed that these supplies crossed into Gaza at the Kerem Shalom border crossing on Thursday, with hopes that they would arrive at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis within the following days.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, medical facilities in Gaza have faced immense challenges treating casualties due to insufficient supplies, including essential medical resources such as blood and bandages. This latest announcement arrives against the backdrop of escalating international pressure on Israel to ameliorate the humanitarian circumstances in Gaza, particularly in the heavily impacted northern regions, where military operations against Hamas have intensified.
In a separate development, an Iranian official traveled to Beirut to engage in discussions regarding the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Ali Larijani, advising Iran’s supreme leader, has been meeting with senior Lebanese authorities as Israeli air assaults were launched around the Beirut vicinity.
This visit, coinciding with U.S. efforts to negotiate an end to the prolonged conflict, follows reports of the U.S. ambassador delivering a potential ceasefire proposal to the Lebanese Parliament Speaker, although a Lebanese official declined to confirm specifics.
Larijani’s arrival in Beirut followed similar discussions with Syrian President Bashar Assad about the violence in Palestine and Lebanon, emphasizing the urgent need for an end to the conflict. As Iran continues to be a significant supporter of Hezbollah, its involvement remains crucial in these discussions.
Furthermore, a rescue mission continues in eastern Lebanon as teams search through the debris for individuals unaccounted for after the airstrike. Thirteen bodies have been recovered so far, all linked to the emergency services, with additional remains found requiring DNA identification.
Amid these developments, Rafik Shehada, the head of the municipality union in Baalbek, condemned the assault as “barbaric” and stated that efforts are ongoing to uncover the whereabouts of those who were inside the center during the strike.
In light of documented concerns, a report from Human Rights Watch highlighted the targeting of medical personnel by Israeli forces, calling several incidents “apparent war crimes.” The report noted that countless health workers have been lost, alongside damage to ambulances and hospitals throughout the ongoing hostilities.
Lastly, the U.N. Security Council has circulated a draft resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent cease-fire” in Gaza, along with calls for the immediate release of hostages and urgent access to humanitarian aid.
This resolution emphasizes the critical need for effective humanitarian support in Gaza, acknowledging the catastrophic situation faced by civilians, while underscoring the importance of U.N. agencies like UNRWA in facilitating essential aid.