BEIRUT. Israeli airstrikes killed two Lebanese soldiers and wounded two U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Friday. The Lebanese military reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a building near a military checkpoint in Bint Jbeil province, causing the fatalities. This incident occurred hours after Israeli forces struck the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), injuring two peacekeepers for the second consecutive day.
The Lebanese army, which has largely remained on the sidelines of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, confirmed that three other soldiers were also wounded in the attack. While Israel’s military acknowledged targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, they claimed to be unaware of any Lebanese military presence in the vicinity.
Worsening Conflict and Hezbollah’s Response
The strikes are part of Israel’s expanding campaign against Hezbollah, with intense airstrikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion at the border. Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israel, aligned with Palestinian factions following the deadly October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which claimed 1,200 lives and led to 250 hostages being taken.
Israel’s military retaliation has been extensive, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting over 2,237 deaths, including Hezbollah fighters, civilians, and medical personnel. On Friday, the ministry confirmed the deaths of two children — a two-year-old and a 16-year-old — in airstrikes on the southern village of Baysarieh.
Hezbollah’s rocket fire has resulted in the deaths of 29 civilians and 39 Israeli soldiers, with clashes escalating since Israel’s ground invasion began on September 30. In contrast, Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah targets have left widespread destruction across Lebanon.
UN Peacekeepers Under Fire
For the second time in as many days, Israeli forces fired on a UNIFIL observation post in Naqoura, injuring two Sri Lankan peacekeepers. One of the peacekeepers was hospitalized in Tyre, while the other received medical care at the scene. UNIFIL condemned the attack as a “grave violation of international humanitarian law,” calling on all parties to ensure the protection of peacekeeping forces.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN peacekeeping operations, ordered the temporary relocation of 300 UNIFIL personnel stationed at frontline positions near the Lebanese border. “Peacekeepers must be protected by all parties of the conflict, and what has happened is obviously condemnable,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The French foreign ministry also voiced its outrage, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting the peacekeepers and summoning the Israeli ambassador in protest. The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israeli officials to ensure the safety of UN forces and to transition to a diplomatic resolution.
Beirut Devastated by Airstrikes
In Beirut, the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on Thursday left residents of the Burj Abi Haidar neighborhood reeling. The strikes leveled two residential buildings, killing at least 22 people and injuring dozens. Rescue workers continued to search for survivors amid the rubble of the collapsed structures.
“The world suddenly turned upside down,” recalled Ahmad al-Khatib, a Lebanese postal worker, as he described the harrowing moments when he pulled his daughter from the debris of their destroyed apartment. His wife remains in intensive care after being hit by a piece of shrapnel during the strike.
Local media speculated that the airstrikes targeted Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah security official, though he was reportedly not in the building at the time. Israel’s military did not comment on the reports.
As Hezbollah continues its rocket barrages into Israel, tensions remain high. On Friday, a rocket launched from Lebanon struck northern Israel, killing a Thai farm worker. Hezbollah has vowed to intensify its attacks, with its chief spokesperson Mohammed Afif declaring, “This is only the beginning.”
This conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides entrenched and suffering significant losses. The international community is increasingly concerned about the potential for further escalation, especially with UN personnel now becoming regular targets in the ongoing violence.
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.
