At least 21 people were killed, and 27 others were wounded today as Israel carried out multiple airstrikes against different civilian targets in the major eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek.
The larger of the two strikes targeted the Baalbek Civil Defense Center, which was the main area in which rescue workers organize in the city. 12 people were killed there, with at least five rescue workers among the slain.
This has been a recurring problem with Israeli strikes against Lebanon, as they have killed a disproportionately large numbers of paramedics and other rescue workers, whether by attacking medical centers or hitting rescue workers as they attempt to pull people from previous strikes.
Earlier in the day, Israel attacked a two-storey residential building in the al-Shaab neighborhood. Nine people have been reported killed in that strike, and the number wounded has risen throughout the day, up to 27.
Baalbek is covered by an evacuation order by Israel, and has been for weeks. A lot of people have fled, but with Israeli attacks hitting even areas outside of evacuation zones regularly, many people decided it was simpler to just stay in place.
Baalbek and the surround Bekaa Valley are regular targets for Israel, as it is a strongly Shi’ite area. That, along with the south area near the Israeli border, have seen the most airstrikes in the ongoing war, though Israel has attacked most areas, no matter how far from any seemingly relevant targets.
