Israel’s ground offensive aimed at pushing Hezbollah from its southern border has resulted in heavy casualties and an expansion of airstrikes. The strikes, which Israel claims target Hezbollah, have also included medical workers and journalists.
Five Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of Israeli military fatalities since the ground invasion began on September 30 to 29. An Israeli army statement confirmed the deaths, including a major and a captain, and reported that four soldiers were seriously wounded.
Israeli media indicated that the building where the soldiers were stationed was hit by a rocket, wounding an additional 15 soldiers—seven moderately and eight lightly—raising the total number of injured to 19.
Health workers targeted
Lebanese Health Minister Firas al-Abyad announced that eight first aid workers were killed in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, and access to their bodies was blocked by Israeli forces. Abyad called on the international community to intervene, citing 55 attacks on hospitals in Lebanon, of which 36 directly targeted healthcare facilities, leading to the closure of eight hospitals.
Airstrikes on Beirut
Alongside the ground offensive, Israel has continued airstrikes on Beirut, carrying out 12 strikes in the city’s southern neighborhoods. The official Lebanese news agency (NNA) reported that the Amirkan and Hureyk neighborhoods were hit, with additional strikes in Burj al-Barajneh and Hades following evacuation warnings issued by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on social media.
Journalists among the targets
Local media reported that several airstrikes were conducted without prior warning, including one on a hotel in the town of Hasbiya, south of Beirut, where journalists were staying. Three journalists were killed in the attack, though no further details were provided.
Limited border access between Lebanon and Syria
Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamiyya announced that the second border crossing with Syria was rendered inoperable due to Israeli airstrikes on the town of Jusiyye. As a result, only one crossing between Lebanon and Syria remains open.
NNA reported that Israeli warplanes targeted both the Al-Qaa crossing on the Lebanese side and Jusiyye on the Syrian side. Earlier, on October 14, an Israeli strike had closed the al-Masna crossing, the main border point between the two countries.
The intensified attacks have led hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese to cross into Syria to escape the violence in Lebanon.
