Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals and injuries to others, with the Israeli military also demolishing sections of a Catholic convent in a border village. Israel’s military issued evacuation warnings for residents of nine southern villages. The ongoing attacks by Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, supported by Iran, have persisted despite a ceasefire in effect since April 17.
In the village of Yaroun, the Israeli military utilized bulldozers to dismantle portions of a Catholic convent that had been unoccupied due to recent hostilities. The superior general of the Basilian Salvatorian Sisters, Gladys Sabbagh, mentioned that the convent, which housed a school closed since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict and a clinic relocated to a nearby village, was destroyed. The convent, a modest compound where only two nuns resided before leaving due to the warfare, has limited details as Yaroun’s residents have been displaced.
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that while targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Yaroun, a house without religious insignia sustained damage. Upon realizing its association with a church, the military halted further destruction. The military asserted that the compound had been used by Hezbollah to launch rockets at Israel previously, emphasizing that religious sites are not intentionally targeted. In contrast, the Catholic Church in Lebanon refuted allegations of the compound’s military usage, emphasizing their role in promoting peace, love, and education.
Recent events included the controversial images of an Israeli soldier with an axe near a fallen statue of Jesus in Debel, sparking condemnation. Airstrikes and attacks in other parts of southern Lebanon continued, including reported casualties in different villages. The Israeli military also conducted numerous airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and members, as shown in released videos of destroyed positions in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for using a drone to strike Israeli troops gathered in a house in Bayed. The Israeli army has been demolishing structures near the Lebanese-Israeli border, citing their use by the Iran-backed group. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on March 2, escalating tensions with continuous airstrikes and ground operations. Following decades of hostility, Lebanon and Israel engaged in direct talks, with a ceasefire established in Washington on April 17 and subsequently extended.
Reports from Lebanon’s Health Ministry indicated a significant toll from the ongoing conflict, with thousands killed and wounded since the war’s outset.
