On October 14, in Aitou, located in northern Lebanon, soldiers stood near vehicles destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. According to Lebanon’s health ministry and state media, Israel conducted an airstrike in an area predominantly inhabited by Christians, resulting in 18 fatalities, as reported by the Lebanese Red Cross. This location is quite distant from Hezbollah’s stronghold.
AFP reported that the Red Cross confirmed, “There are 18 deaths and 4 injuries from the strikes in Aitou,” a village in the Zgharta district, where Christians make up the majority population.
Earlier, the Lebanese health ministry stated that an Israeli airstrike had claimed 9 lives in the area. The National News Agency of Lebanon also reported that the Israeli strikes targeted a “residential apartment” in Aitou.
An AFP photographer at the scene described how the attack leveled a residential building near the village entrance.
To date, Israel’s strikes have primarily focused on areas with a majority Shia Muslim population, where Hezbollah has established strong bases of influence.
On October 12, the Lebanese health ministry reported an Israeli strike on Deir Billa, located approximately 15 kilometers from the coastal town of Batroun, resulting in 2 deaths and 4 injuries.
