At least 15 people were killed in southern Lebanon early Sunday in a series of Israeli airstrikes, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Security sources said the victims were from the town of Sir al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh district. A three-storey residential building was apparently struck in the attack.
A security source told dpa that Israeli strikes have increasingly focused on areas south of the Litani River, where Israel believes Hezbollah fighters are operating among the civilian population.
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The Israeli military’s Arabic spokesman wrote on X that “Hezbollah’s terrorist activities are forcing the Defense Forces to operate strongly against them.”
“Therefore, for your safety, we once again urge you to evacuate your homes immediately and move to the north of the Litani River,” he added.
The attack comes amid heightened regional tensions following the outbreak of war between Israel and the US on one side, and Iran on the other. The war has since drawn in several regional actors and countries.
Lebanese security sources said Israel had so far ordered the evacuation of more than 80 villages in southern Lebanon. Tens of thousands have fled.
A girl, who fled with her family Beirut southern suburb, sits inside a tent erected on the pavement of Beirut seafront. Over 300,000 people across Lebanon were displaced since the ongoing conflict started early March. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Lebanese civilians who fled the southern suburbs of Beirut sit near tents erected on the pavement along the Beirut seafront, as over 300,000 people across Lebanon have been displaced since the conflict began in early March. Marwan Naamani/dpa