Wave of Israeli strikes targets south Lebanon
Israeli air raids have targeted the outskirts of several areas in south Lebanon, including the villages of Zrariyeh, Kfrar Milki and Ansar, according to the country’s National News Agency.
Attacks appear to have targeted open areas outside of the towns. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Despite the ceasefire it reached with Hezbollah in November last year, Israel has been carrying out near-daily strikes on Lebanon.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem warned last week that the group may take “appropriate” measures if the war between Iran and Israel escalates. So far, the Iran-allied group has not militarily intervened in the conflict.
UN mission says medical facilities in Iran overwhelmed
The UN fact-finding mission on Iran has released a detailed statement on the situation in the country amid ongoing Israeli attacks. Among other things, it said:
- At least 400 people have been killed, according to Iran’s Health Ministry.
- Three workers from the Red Crescent were also killed in Israeli attacks.
- Damaged areas include a clinic for children with autism and a hospital in Kermanshah.
- Israeli air strikes and evacuation threats led to massive internal displacement, forcing millions of people in Tehran to leave their homes.
- Medical facilities are reportedly overwhelmed and facing shortages of essential supplies, further hindering their ability to care for the injured and protect the right to health.
- Some Israeli attacks including on Iran’s state broadcasting agency and killing of Iranian scientists, were likely in violation of international humanitarian law.
Iran strikes on Israel: ‘We’ve never seen so much damage'
At least four waves of missiles were fired at Israel from Iran today, but not many in total – about 10 or so maximum.
Having monitored these missile launches for the past week, there seems to be a slight change in tactics: less missiles but much more disruption, launched over different periods of time.
Today, raid alert sirens sounded for up to 40 minutes in parts of Israel. One damaged an electricity substation, knocking out electricity to 8,000 residents in the Ashdod port area. It’s now been restored.
And this is coming at a financial cost to Israel. According to the tax authority director, so far, 40,000 claims for compensation have been made by Israelis, totalling $1.3bn. Thirty buildings will have to be demolished.
“We’ve never seen so much damage,” says the tax director.
