Israeli Airstrike Kills 5 Rescue Workers in Southern Lebanon
An Israeli airstrike killed five emergency workers in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s health ministry reported on Thursday, as Israel continued its extensive military campaign against Hezbollah. The strike hit a civil defense center in the village of Derdghaiya, located 10 kilometers from the Israeli border. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, announced ongoing diplomatic efforts, led by the United States and France, to revive a cease-fire deal. However, neither country has provided any immediate comment.
Israel’s offensive, which escalated significantly after Hamas’s attacks a year ago, has resulted in more than 2,100 deaths in Lebanon, with Israeli airstrikes and ground operations targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure across the region. The Israeli military has warned Lebanese civilians in the south not to return to their homes for safety reasons.
Despite significant losses, Hezbollah has continued its rocket attacks on Israel, launching around 40 projectiles on Thursday, some of which were intercepted by Israeli defenses. The conflict has also fueled fears of a broader regional war involving Iran and its proxy groups across the Middle East.
