Israeli Strikes Kill at Least Five People Across South Lebanon

Israeli attacks continued across southern Lebanon, with reports that at least five people were killed in a pair of attacks. Israeli DM Yoav Gallant ominously warned that the “mission” against the northern border areas has not been completed and predicting a “hot summer.”

The larger of the two attacks shelled a house in the town of Khiam. The house was destroyed, killing three Palestinian fighters within. The three were reported to be from Syria, aligned with the Ali al-Aswad Brigade.

The other deadly attack saw Israel carrying out strikes in Odaisseh, killing at least two members of Hezbollah. The Hezbollah group has yet to issue a statement as to the identities of the members.

During the day, Israel continued to bombard the towns of Khiam and Kfar Kela, attacking what they claimed was Hezbollah infrastructure. What exactly they hit is not clear, beyond the house that was shelled.

What is clear is that seven months of persistent Israeli attacks have wreaked significant destruction in southern Lebanon, with estimates from the Southern Council that in excess of $1.5 billion in damage has been caused.

Southern Council officials have split the damage into two separate categories, saying that over $1 billion in damage has been done to buildings, and some $500 million has been done in attacks on infrastructure.

Israel attacks virtually daily now and suggests that almost everything they hit is “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure.” Regardless of whether the targets are civilian homes or basic infrastructure.

Apparently not included in the figures is damage to farmland, which has cost a substantial number of residents their livelihood. Southern Council estimates at least 93,000 residents have been displaced, with government officials previously estimating it at over 100,000.