Attacks in the north

Lebanon: Dozens killed after Israeli airstrikes

Israel flies heavy air strikes on Lebanon, including on the capital Beirut.(Bild: AFP)

According to two people familiar with the events and the mayor of Baalbek, at least 60 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley in north-eastern Lebanon.

Twelve towns were affected by the attacks, in which 58 people were also injured, the ministry said in a preliminary statement. At least two children were among the dead. Alone 16 of the 60 dead were reported from the village of Al-Alak west of the city of Baalbek.

The governor of the Baalbek-Hermel region spoke of the "most violent" attacks on the area since the beginning of the conflict. Baalbek is an impoverished region in the Bekaa Valley, which borders Syria. It is considered a stronghold of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia.

Heavy fighting with Hezbollah militia
Recently, there have been heavy clashes between the Hezbollah militia and the Israeli army. Israeli soldiers are combing the border area around Kafr Kila, as reported by the state news agency NNA. Israel's army attacked the area with artillery, tanks and fighter planes. The troops blew up dozens of houses in the Aitarun and Jarun areas, according to security sources.

Expensive interceptor missiles
Meanwhile, Israel is also advancing into the north of the country. In return, Hezbollah continued its rocket fire on northern Israel unabated. According to the military, dozens of missiles were registered. Some were intercepted, others fell in open areas. Initially, there were no reports of casualties or major damage.

However, the interceptor missiles are costly for Israel. According to media reports, each interception attempt costs the equivalent of tens of thousands of euros. According to Israeli reports, the Shiite militia has fired more than 8,000 rockets towards Israel since the war began a year ago.