At least eight killed in Israeli drone strikes on Lebanon highway | Israel attacks Lebanon News
At Least Eight Killed in Israeli Drone Strikes on Lebanese Highway
JIYEH, Lebanon (AP) — Three Israeli drone strikes on Wednesday targeted vehicles on a major highway linking Beirut to southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including two children, according to the Ministry of Health in Lebanon.
Photographs released by Lebanon’s National News Agency depicted the bombing site in the Jiyeh area, approximately 20 kilometers south of Beirut. The vehicles were severely damaged, with their exteriors burned and torn apart.
Zeina Khodr, reporting from Tyre, characterized the ongoing conflict as escalating, with significant civilian casualties reported in affected areas.
“The toll on civilians living in these regions is considerable,” Khodr stated.
On Thursday, Lebanon and Israel are set to resume direct negotiations in Washington, facilitated by the United States. However, Hezbollah, which has been conducting attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, has expressed opposition to the discussions taking place in the U.S.
On Wednesday morning, the Israeli military issued orders for the forced displacement of residents in six southern Lebanese villages: Meiss el-Jabal, Yanouh, Burj Shemali, Hula, Debl, and Aabbasiyyeh. The military warned that anyone remaining in these areas risks their safety and advised residents to relocate at least 1,000 meters away.
These forced displacement orders, which have occurred almost daily for the past week, mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Khodr, one of the few remaining hospitals in the area falls within the newly designated displacement zone.
“There are only three hospitals left in the entire Tyre district, and more than 100,000 people still reside there,” Khodr reported. “These facilities serve as a lifeline, but some injured individuals struggle to reach them due to the long journey and ongoing hostilities.”
Previously, on Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Health reported that 13 people, including two paramedics, lost their lives in separate attacks across southern Lebanon. Since the onset of hostilities on March 2, the total death toll has surpassed 2,800, with at least 380 casualties recorded during the supposed truce.
Furthermore, the ministry indicated that 108 emergency medical workers have died during the conflict, with over 140 documented attacks on ambulances and medical facilities.
Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre, highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation, stating there is a growing crisis with over one million displaced individuals throughout the region.
As the conflict remains unresolved, the impact on local communities continues to deepen, raising concerns about the situation’s implications for civilians across southern Lebanon.
