Israeli airstrikes kill 4 people and injure 20 in southern Lebanon

(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = Lebanese local media and foreign media reported on the 6th (local time) that the Israeli military carried out an airstrike in southern Lebanon, killing at least four people and injuring about 20 others.

Israel claimed that it was a legitimate response to Hezbollah's drone attack, but as civilian areas and government buildings were destroyed, Lebanon called on the United States to urgently intervene.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, a total of four people, including two women, were killed in the Israeli airstrike on this day in the Nabatei-e al-Foqa and Arab Salim areas of southern Lebanon.

Additionally, at least 20 people, including 3 children and women, were injured in downtown Navati.

This airstrike also resulted in damage to civilian and public facilities.

In downtown Navatie, the historic buildings of the Finance and Agricultural Authority offices were damaged, and the defunct Ghandour Hospital in Navatie Al-Foqa was completely destroyed.

The Israeli military said that this airstrike was a response to Hezbollah's drone attacks targeting its soldiers.

The Israeli military claimed that it was a precision strike to eliminate threats, saying, "The destroyed Ghandour Hospital has been used as a command center for agents leading Hezbollah's offensive operations."

Additionally, prior to the airstrike, the Israeli military designated certain buildings in Arab Salim as Hezbollah facilities and issued an online evacuation order a month later.

However, Lebanon's state-run NNA news agency pointed out that there was no prior warning in other areas hit, including the house where two women were killed.

When a large-scale air strike occurred during an unstable ceasefire, the Lebanese authorities strongly opposed it.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued an emergency statement, saying, "Despite the ceasefire agreement, a dangerous escalation of tensions that has even damaged state institutions and medical facilities has occurred," and appealed to the international community, including the United States, to take urgent action to prevent Israel's violations.

Nabatieh Mayor Abbas Fahreddin also urged, “The Lebanese government must step up and at least defend state institutions.” This is the second time that the finance and agriculture authority buildings have been damaged by air strikes.

Despite the signing of a broad memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran and the agreement between Israel and Lebanon on a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon last June through mediation by the United States, the Israeli military continues military operations within a 'security zone' of approximately 10 km in southern Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have killed more than 4,300 people in Lebanon since Hezbollah intervened in the conflict in March to support Iran.