An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon early Saturday resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 10 Syrian nationals, as reported by Lebanon's Health Ministry. The strike took place in Wadi al-Kfour in Nabatieh province and is considered one of the deadliest incidents in Lebanon since the recent escalation of hostilities between the Hezbollah militant group and the Israeli military.
Hezbollah and the Israeli military began exchanging strikes on Oct. 8, following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel that triggered the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Hezbollah has indicated that it will cease its attacks once a ceasefire is achieved in the Gaza Strip.
Among the casualties were a woman and her two children, with five others sustaining injuries, two of whom are in critical condition. The Israeli military spokesperson stated that the strike targeted a weapons depot belonging to Hezbollah in the southern province.
Local sources described the area as an 'industrial and civilian area,' housing factories producing various materials such as bricks, metal, aluminum, and a dairy farm. Hezbollah has not yet issued a statement regarding the recent strikes.
Efforts by the Lebanese government and international entities have been ongoing to de-escalate the tensions that have plagued the region for months, with the situation remaining highly volatile since July.
Recent incidents include an Israeli strike in southern Beirut that resulted in the death of Hezbollah's top commander, accused by Israel of orchestrating a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Subsequently, an explosion, widely attributed to Israel, claimed the life of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Despite vows of retaliation from Tehran and Hezbollah, no further strikes have been launched as diplomatic initiatives and Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Qatar continue.
Hezbollah and Israel previously engaged in a six-week war in the summer of 2006, which ended without a clear victor. Since Oct. 8, over 500 individuals have lost their lives in the clashes, predominantly fighters from Hezbollah and other armed groups, along with approximately 100 civilians and noncombatants. In Israel, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 22 soldiers and 24 civilians, with tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the tense frontier.
