On October 16, Nabatieh, a major city in southern Lebanon, was struck by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in thick smoke filling the air. According to two security sources, the city, which serves as the capital of Nabatieh Governorate, witnessed an attack that killed at least six people, including the mayor, Ahmed Kahil.
Reports indicate that Hezbollah, the militant group based in southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut, along with Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and is backed by Iran, are currently engaged in conflict with Israel. Despite increasing casualty concerns in the U.S. and worries about a potential full-scale war in the region, Israeli airstrikes continued today in Nabatieh.
The Israeli military stated they targeted numerous Hezbollah positions in Nabatieh, destroying underground infrastructure. Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces and ground troops attacked several Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon.
Witnesses noted that just hours after the U.S. expressed opposition to the scale of Israeli attacks on the Lebanese capital Beirut, at least one wave of airstrikes hit hard in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Witnesses reported hearing two loud explosions and saw thick smoke rising from two different residential areas. This occurred after Israel issued an evacuation order this morning for a specific building.
Furthermore, according to reports from AFP, Israeli airstrikes had destroyed a market in Nabatieh days before, and Lebanese officials stated that the military conducted 11 airstrikes on Nabatieh and its surrounding areas today.
Howaida Turk, the governor of Nabatieh, commented on the Israeli airstrikes, telling AFP, “Currently, the 11 airstrikes are mainly targeting Nabatieh and the surrounding areas,” describing the situation as creating a “fire corridor” in the region. While she acknowledged that the airstrikes resulted in casualties, she was unable to provide precise figures on the death toll.
