the number of dead bodies by the time when the airstrikes of Israel were carried out on Saturday increased 15. The strikes within the context of increased military engagements can be seen as part of the growing tensions which are evident in Israel and Hezbollah battles that are underway in Lebanon. The airstrikes which are happening in Maaysra, Barja, and Deir Billa, which has involved Hezbollah, have also contributed to Israel’s military operations.
The deadliest one was the attack on the Maaysra a highland region near the Christian city of Beirut that has about a 40 percent Shi’a population. They explained that nine deaths were noted in this attack, meanwhile, they claimed that fifteen injuries were reported during this incident. As search and rescue people on the ground, they tried to free many trapped people in the area by working together and using hand tools like sledgehammers and brick picks as means of clearing rubble from the concrete structures. A correspondent by name for AFP was present in the vicinity where destruction occurred and he witnessed the impact of the event in his face.
In the area known as Barja which is in the Shouf region of southeastern Bagdadd one more tragic situation was reported on the morning of March 6 2023 in the Shouf region where two Israelis were killed with injuries to eighteen people. According to the health ministry, death toll remains high since the workers on the roads of Lebanon remain dead due to prolonged strikes. Unlike Maaysra which has a strong connection with Hezbollah Barja it is less known in connection with Baraja thus casting some doubts on its expansion in some civilian spheres.
It was also among those that were impacted by the strikes and Deir Billa that is situated close to Batroun in Lebanon, were among the areas that were affected. Three other persons sustained injuries as a result of the assault that took place late the other evening and two were killed as well. Also, people are supposed to find their DNA in the wreckage; they might even be rescued later. It’s now a camp for refugees; many families have been forced to go through an evacuation to southern Lebanon which leads to this situation being a huge injustice as many shelter shelters are meant to protect civilians from such actions. One correspondent of the AFP, for instance, claimed to have come across several items, like mattresses and pillows, scattered near the damage, the air thick with smoke above a partially destroyed structure, which was still having people lie on the ground.
While there were reports about the incident in which Israeli airstrikes were near the town of Zahle, there are some news that were published about the incident. The people around the hospital said the impact of the strike was minimal as the staff of the Tal Chiha Hospital noted, which helped support the claim made by the hospital management. Fortunately, no staff or patients were hurt and the hospital was still in operation.
Yesterday Saturday, September 17, Nabatiyeh, the State-Owned company of Lebanon that provides services like gasoline and fuel to people, came in contact with the Israel’s air force. A temporary rate that was given out by the ministry involved 8 persons being brought to injuries, and search crews working to clear rubble was put into operation. Nabatiyeh is near Israeli forces, who instructed on withdrawal from the area; yet Nabatiyeh has several institutions such as hospitals and universities, which were occupied by Lebanese forces.
These recent incidents are the same as the previous attacks that started on September 23 in Lebanon with Israeli military intervention targeting various areas including the south and east Lebanon, as well as Beirut the last major port city of Lebanon. Israel claims that its intention was to attack any part of Hezbollah which includes its military installations, and this has escalated into many locations which may not be within the group but still pose a risk to civilians in Lebanon. The level of concern that the current conflict may have the potential to escalate further into a regional crisis is further highlighted with the news of Hezbollah stating its determination to protect itself and its interests from being harmed by external forces. Nonetheless the effort to get to a truce is still in a deadlock which puts a lot of emphasis on the tension on the entire area due to the ongoing conflict.
