Israeli raids in southern Lebanon: at least four dead and twenty injured

At least four people were killed and 20 others injured in a series of Israeli raids on several locations in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon. Israel said it attacked in response to Hezbollah firing drones at its soldiers. According to Lebanese sources, two dead and two injured were reported in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while eight other injuries - including a woman and a child - were reported in a neighborhood of the city of Nabatieh. Finally, two deaths and six injuries (including two children) were reported in Arab Salim, while four injured in Kafr Rumman.

A drone destroyed

To justify the raids, Israel reported the launch of two drones by Hezbollah against some IDF soldiers who were serving in the Security Zone. The same soldiers then opened fire, destroying one of the two drones.

The violation

"This - it was reported by Israel - is a clear violation by the terrorist organization Hezbollah". Furthermore, the statement concludes, "IDF soldiers will continue to operate in the Security Zone with the aim of removing any threat to Israeli civilians and soldiers".

Israeli attacks

The bombing began around 5 am local time on some homes and other structures in Nabatieh and surrounding areas. In Kafr Rumman, several air strikes destroyed a house near the industrial area. In Arab Salim the Israeli army had issued an evacuation order for the inhabitants of the area. In Nabatieh al-Fawqa, an airstrike then destroyed a house and damaged part of the old Ghandour hospital, a facility that has been out of service for some time. The city of Nabatieh also suffered damage to a historic building and the regional offices of the departments of Finance and Agriculture. Further attacks hit gardens, a motorcycle on the road between Nabatieh and Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the Deir neighborhood, while Israeli artillery intermittently shelled areas surrounding Tell al-Dabsha and Doha Kafr Rumman.