Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of eight Hezbollah group members, as confirmed by two officials from the organization on Saturday. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 10 casualties without specifying the breakdown between militants and civilians.
According to Hezbollah sources, the airstrikes near Rayak village in northeast Lebanon late Friday claimed the lives of eight militants, including local officials. The top floor of a building in the area was visibly damaged when visited by an Associated Press team on Saturday morning.
The Israeli military announced that several members of Hezbollah’s missile unit were “eliminated” in Baalbek, Lebanon. The army stated that the targeted individuals were involved in preparations for hostile activities against Israel.
Among the deceased were identified local commanders, including Ali al-Moussawi, Mohammed al-Moussawi, and Hussein Yaghi, who was the son of a prominent Hezbollah figure. In addition to the 10 fatalities, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported 24 injuries, including three children.
The strike, witnessed by Ali Abdullah, the executive director of Rayak Hospital, resulted in the death of 10 individuals and injuries to 21 others, including non-Lebanese nationals. Ethiopians, commonly employed as domestic workers in Lebanon, were among the wounded.
A funeral procession was held in Nabi Sheet village for the Hezbollah members killed in the airstrikes. The recent escalation follows previous conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, with ongoing tensions in the region amid threats from the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program.