Israeli Strikes Kill 18 in Southern Lebanon

BEIRUT, — At least 18 people were killed and 33 others injured after Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas in southern Lebanon early Friday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

The ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center said the casualty figure was preliminary, adding that continued strikes had obstructed rescue operations and delayed the evacuation of victims in several affected areas.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the attacks mainly targeted towns in the Nabatieh district, including Harouf, Sharqieh and Kfar Sir. Additional strikes were reported in Kfar Remmen, Kfar Tebnit and nearby areas, causing deaths, injuries and reports of missing persons.

Nabatieh and surrounding localities experienced one of the heaviest nights of bombardment in recent months. Heavy artillery fire struck Nabatieh city and several nearby towns before Israeli warplanes launched multiple rounds of airstrikes on Nabatieh, Kfar Tebnit, Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the Rihan Heights.

Several people were killed in strikes on the Kfar Remmen–Nabatieh area, the university district of Nabatieh city and Harouf’s Baydar neighborhood. Another strike between Sharqieh and Doueir destroyed a house and killed four people, according to preliminary reports.

In Kfar Sir, three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Later, an Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle near the Doueir municipality building, killing one person and injuring another.

Other areas, including Jebchit, Adchit, Toul, Kfardjal and Kfar Tebnit, were also hit by drone strikes, air raids and artillery shelling.

The attacks occurred despite recent diplomatic efforts aimed at easing regional tensions, including the Iran–U.S. understanding intended to prevent further escalation in Lebanon and along the Lebanese-Israeli border.