Israel expanded its targets in its battle with Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing at the very least 21 folks in an air assault within the north, well being officers mentioned, whereas tens of millions of Israelis took shelter from projectiles fired again throughout the border.
To date the primary focus of Israel’s army offensive in Lebanon has been within the south, the Bekaa Valley within the east and the suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
The strike within the Christian-majority town of Aitou on Monday hit a home that had been rented to displaced households, mentioned Mayor Joseph Trad. At the very least eight folks have been injured, in keeping with the Ministry of Public Well being.
Rescue staff on the web site of the assault searched by means of piles of rubble, the place burned automobiles and timber could possibly be seen strewn throughout the bottom.
It was the primary time the Christian-majority space had been attacked by Israel in a yr of hostilities.
Israel ordered residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate to areas north of the Awali River, which flows some 60km (35 miles) north of the Israeli frontier.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting a army base in central Israel the place 4 troopers have been killed on Sunday by a Hezbollah drone strike, mentioned Israel would proceed to assault the Iran-aligned motion “with out mercy, in every single place in Lebanon – together with Beirut”.
Israeli assaults have killed at the very least 2,309 folks in Lebanon during the last yr, the Lebanese authorities mentioned in its every day replace. The bulk have been killed since late September when Israel expanded its assault, during which its forces have additionally attacked United Nations peacekeepers.