BEIRUT. An Israeli airstrike hit the municipal headquarters of Nabatieh, a provincial capital in southern Lebanon, killing 16 people, including the town’s mayor, and injuring more than 50 others. This marks the most significant attack on a Lebanese state building since Israel’s air campaign started, according to Lebanese officials.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strike, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting a municipal council meeting intended to address “the city’s service and relief situation” for residents displaced by the ongoing conflict. Mikati stated, “The Israelis intentionally targeted a meeting of the municipal council to discuss the city’s service and relief situation.”
The assault in Nabatieh has drawn international attention, with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reporting an incident where Israeli tanks fired at one of its watchtowers near Kfar Kela, damaging the structure and destroying cameras. While the Israeli military did not immediately respond to UNIFIL’s statement, the peacekeeping force has faced several such incidents since the conflict began.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, visiting northern Israel, maintained that Israel would not cease its operations against Hezbollah for negotiation purposes, saying, “We will hold negotiations only under fire… I said this on day one, I said it in Gaza, and I am saying it here.” His stance has been bolstered by support from U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who urged Gallant to ensure the safety of UNIFIL forces while continuing operations.
Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah, which has been firing across the border in support of Palestinian militants in Gaza, has been relentless in recent weeks. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have targeted Hezbollah strongholds and dismantled tunnel networks used by the group’s elite Radwan Forces. A video released by the Israeli military showed multiple explosions in Mhaibib, a town near the Israeli border.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that over 2,350 people have been killed since the conflict began, with more than 1.2 million displaced. The U.N. noted that a quarter of the country is currently under evacuation orders. In contrast, Israel has lost around 50 people, both military and civilian, in the same period.
The U.S. State Department has expressed support for targeted strikes against Hezbollah, while urging caution to avoid widespread civilian casualties. Matthew Miller, State Department spokesperson, stated, “Obviously, we’d not want to see entire villages destroyed. We don’t want to see civilian homes destroyed.”
Israeli warplanes also resumed airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking the first attack on the city since October 10, when 22 people were killed in densely populated neighborhoods. Tensions remain high as the conflict continues, with both sides suffering heavy losses and no end in sight.
As the Israeli campaign pushes forward, diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis face significant challenges, with Hezbollah’s continued presence in southern Lebanon and Israel’s insistence on security along its northern border. The toll of the conflict grows by the day, with civilians on both sides caught in the crossfire.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
