Overnight Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least four people, according to Lebanese officials, as Israel intensifies its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The attack targeted an apartment in a residential building in Sidon’s northern district, killing one and igniting a fire. Rescue teams and the Lebanese army secured the area amid widespread destruction.
Nearby Al-Qatrani village saw three fatalities from another strike. Israel claimed it hit several Hezbollah launch sites and destroyed command centers of the Radwan Force in Beirut.
Hezbollah retaliated by targeting Israeli troop positions near the border. Israeli forces have already entered parts of southern Lebanon, with ongoing clashes reported in Khiam.
The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of using ambulances for military operations, while Lebanon’s health ministry said 31 paramedics were killed this month, accusing Israel of targeting emergency crews.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged diplomatic solutions during a visit to Beirut, calling for international support. He launched a $325 million humanitarian appeal as over 800,000 people have fled their homes in just 10 days-over a third of Lebanon’s population.
The conflict began on March 2 after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel following an Israeli airstrike that killed former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.