Israeli Strikes Kill 2, Wound Over 25 in Southern Lebanon

French FM says Gaza truce necessary to prevent Lebanon war

Israeli forces carried out multiple strikes against southern Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least 2 people and wounding over 25 across the region. The slain have yet to be identified by any reports.

Israel struck the southern town of Marjayoun with a drone, which, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, killed one person and wounded nine. Initial reports said three were killed in the attack, though this was revised downward.

Israel also attacked the village of Blida with a drone strike against a car. This occurred near local shops, killing one person and wounding another.

Officials have offered no indication as to why either target was struck, which is not unusual when the identity of those killed is uncertain.

Israel was previously reported to have attacked Abbassiyeh, near Tyre. Officials now say that strike wounded 17 people wounded, four critically. An eight-year-old girl was among the injured.

Finally, a ten-year-old boy was reported wounded in Israeli artillery strikes against the southern village of Qabrikha. The Public Health Ministry reported that he was hospitalized.

Hezbollah responded to the day’s attacks by firing a number of Katyusha rockets against the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. It is reported to have caused a localized power outage. Some injuries were also reported, but these have not been officially confirmed.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Soujourne was in Beirut on Thursday, trying to drum up support for a deal to prevent an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. He echoed comments from US envoy Amos Hochstein that a truce in the Gaza Strip is necessary to prevent a war in Lebanon.

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.