Israeli airstrikes since midnight have killed at least 18 people and wounded 33 others across southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said on Friday, adding that the toll remained preliminary as ongoing attacks were preventing rescue teams from evacuating casualties.
The ministry’s Emergency Operations Centre said the dead and wounded were reported in several towns, including Harouf, Dweir, Sharqiyah, Abbassiyah, Qatrani and Jibshit. Harouf recorded the highest number of casualties, with seven people killed and 10 injured.
The ministry said intensive Israeli strikes had hampered efforts to recover the dead and transport the wounded, warning that the casualty figures could rise as rescue operations continued.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the reported strikes or casualty figures.