Israeli air raids on southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals and left 40 others injured as Israel intensified its military operations across the southern regions of the country. The town of Burj al-Shamali was among the hardest hit, with numerous casualties including children. Rescue teams continued to search for victims trapped beneath the debris.
Reports from Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that the overall death toll from Tuesday’s strikes reached 31, encompassing women and children, with 40 people wounded. Since March 2, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of 3,213 people in Lebanon, the ministry.
In a significant development, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for seven areas in southern Lebanon, heightening concerns about further escalation and displacement of civilians. These latest strikes coincide with reports that Israel has broadened its military campaign in southern Lebanon, carrying out over 120 airstrikes across southern and eastern parts of the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed an expansion of ground operations beyond the previously established security zone. This escalation has further strained the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, with southern Lebanon experiencing repeated bombardments, displacement directives, and clashes in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continued in Gaza, where at least seven Palestinians were killed and more than 20 injured in separate strikes. Hospital officials reported that five Palestinians died in a drone strike targeting a refugee camp in central Gaza. Additionally, in Khan Younis, an Israeli strike on a vehicle resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to several others.
Notably, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that Israel targeted Mohammad Odeh, identified as Hamas’s newly appointed military chief in Gaza earlier this month. Israeli sources stated that the strike was carried out against Odeh, while Palestinian hospital officials reported multiple casualties and over a dozen wounded in an attack in Gaza City.
