Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon Kill Three, Including Two Children

Attacks took place just south of the coastal city of Sidon

Israeli forces targeted a series of “infrastructure” sites in southern Lebanon today, going after compounds belonging to Hezbollah’s aerial defense system on the grounds that they pose a threat to Israeli aircraft.

The strikes hit the villages of Najjiriyeh and Addousiyeh, both just south of the coastal city of Sidon. This is just over 18 miles from the Israeli border, which is deeper than most strikes in the south Lebanon area.

Hezbollah identified one of its fighters as slain during the attacks, without detailing the exact circumstances or his role in the organization. The strike also killed two civilians, both identified as Syrian children.

While presented as terrorist infrastructure, the targets included a lot of buildings. It’s unclear which were Hezbollah and which were not. The strikes were reported to have hit a pickup truck and an orchard. In general, in previous strikes civilian homes turn out to be what was meant by infrastructure.

Hezbollah responded to the deaths by firing some 75 projectiles at Kerem Ben Zamra and the Tsonbar logistical base in occupied Golan. One missile strike in Kerem Ben Zamra was reported to have wounded two Israelis, though details are not yet available.

The attacks came just a day after the drone strike against the town of Qana hit a vehicle near a funeral procession, killing two people, one of whom was identified as linked to Hezbollah by the rescuers on the scene.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.