At least 14 individuals lost their lives and 15 others sustained injuries due to an Israeli airstrike on the northern Lebanese town of Ain Yaaqoub, as reported by the town’s mayor.
This strike, which represents the northernmost location in Lebanon targeted by Israeli forces since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, struck a building housing 30 residents, including Syrian refugees.
The local mayor indicated that some individuals remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Earlier today, an Israeli raid in the southern town of Saksakiyeh resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and left seven others injured, according to information from the Lebanese health ministry.
This occurs as Israel’s newly appointed foreign minister has stated that there has been some advancement toward a ceasefire in Lebanon, where conflict has persisted for over six weeks as Israel conducts operations against Hezbollah.
“There is certain progress,” Gideon Saar remarked when asked about a potential ceasefire. “We are collaborating with the Americans on the matter,” he informed reporters in Jerusalem.
Israel intensified airstrikes in late September, targeting Hezbollah throughout Lebanon and deployed ground troops on September 30.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has articulated that the operation’s objective is to compel Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, which flows through southern Lebanon.
Additionally, another aim is to thwart any efforts by Hezbollah to replenish its armaments.
The group is armed and financially supported by Iran.
Mr. Saar reiterated Israel’s objectives, stating that Israel would “be ready” for a ceasefire if Hezbollah is not positioned along the border and is incapable of rearming with weapon systems coming “from Syria, from the sea, from the airport.”
He further commented: “The primary challenge, ultimately, will be to implement what is agreed upon.”
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“Our priority is to ensure the safe return of our citizens, and if the appropriate conditions arise, we will be prepared. In the meantime, the operations of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) near our border will persist,” Mr. Saar added.
Tens of thousands of Israelis were displaced when Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire over a year ago, which they framed as support for the Palestinian militants Hamas, whose attack on Israel ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mr. Netanyahu stated that the Prime Minister had sanctioned the pager attacks against Hezbollah in September.
On September 17, numerous pagers were triggered simultaneously in the southern suburbs of Beirut and various Hezbollah strongholds, typically following the devices beeping, signifying an incoming message.
The Israeli military initially refrained from addressing inquiries regarding the detonations.
More than 3,400 people were injured in attacks in September
A Hezbollah official described the incident as the “largest security breach” the group faced in nearly a year of conflict with Israel.
Overall, the pager attack, along with a subsequent operation the following day that activated weaponized walkie-talkies, resulted in 39 fatalities and more than 3,400 injuries.
Israeli media disclosed yesterday that during a cabinet meeting, Mr. Netanyahu confirmed his authorization of the attack, informing ministers that senior defense officials and political figures had opposed the activation of the pagers, yet he proceeded with the operation.
Hezbollah militants have been utilizing pagers as a low-tech mode of communication to evade Israeli tracking, as reported by two sources familiar with the group’s operations in a Reuters report this year.
Israel followed the pager detonations with the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike.
