Israel pounds Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, no-warning attacks on Tyre
Another heavy day of bombardment by the Israeli air force. A lot of it focusing, yet again, on that area in the east of Lebanon, in the Bekaa Valley. Reports of dozens of people being killed and more than 25 towns and villages being targeted in that area by Israel.
It was very telling certainly that, this morning, the Israeli military warned civilians about returning to that area to check on the status of their homes. Many of which would have been completely destroyed. That may be an indication that the focus of Israel’s operation in the east of Lebanon continues.
A similar kind of scenario in the south of the country, as well. The southern port city of Tyre is coming under fire again, with one massive air strike in the centre of that city, and Israel did not give a warning in relation to that attack.
Israeli attacks turn Lebanon’s Baalbek area into ghost town
We are at the scene of the latest air attacks carried out by Israel in Baalbek. People are telling me this is a tourist area in the heart of the city. There is no Hezbollah presence. These attacks really hit at the heart of this once thriving and very famous tourist city in Lebanon.
Baalbek governorate was home to about 500,000 people. From what we’ve seen this morning, it is completely empty now. People have had to flee.
We spoke to people who actually came to eastern Lebanon from the south of the country when the fighting escalated and they had relatives and friends they were staying with.
But once the attacks here started, and really intensified over the past week, they started to have to flee these areas as well.
Lebanese citizen kidnapped from Batroun area: Security sources
A security group kidnapped a Lebanese citizen from the Batroun area in the north of the country at dawn today, our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic are reporting.
A Lebanese security source told AJA that an Israeli commando force, who infiltrated Lebanon by sea, could be behind the kidnapping. Footage on social media showed scenes from the incident.
Lebanese journalist Hassan Illaik said in a post on X that a large group of Israeli troops made a landing in the resort town and captured the man, before departing on speed boats. He shared CCTV footage appearing to show soldiers walking in a street, two of them holding a person.
Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamiye, who represents Hezbollah in Lebanon’s government, said the video was accurate, but did not give further details.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities.
At least 11 injured in Israeli strike in southern Beirut: Ministry
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says 11 people have been injured in an Israeli strike in southern Beirut. Lebanon’s National News Agency said the raid occurred near Karout Mall.
It was not preceded by an Israeli evacuation warning.
