The announcement followed another day of intense airstrikes on Lebanese towns and villages, which have continued for the fourth consecutive week.
The Ministry’s daily report outlined that Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday alone added 45 martyrs and 110 injured to the escalating toll.
Israeli forces targeted multiple areas on Thursday evening, including the outskirts of Aabbasiyyeh and a residential house in Jwaya, Tyre district, completely destroying the structure. Residents of Nabatieh received evacuation orders amid continuous bombardments that have decimated much of the city’s infrastructure, including its commercial center.
Meanwhile, Israeli shelling of the town of al-Khiam included heavy artillery and phosphorus munitions. The Israeli forces attempted to advance into al-Khiam but were repelled by counterattacks from Lebanon’s Islamic Resistance, which launched rockets to block their entry.
Other villages, including Jebbayn, Seddiqine, Yohmor, Doueir, and Ansar, faced concentrated artillery and air bombardments. In Kfar Houneh, Jezzine district, an airstrike injured multiple civilians. Israeli jets struck several areas in Ansar, followed by more airstrikes in Yohmor and the outskirts of Arnoun, Nabatieh district. Additionally, Israeli aircraft conducted low-altitude flights over Beirut, breaking the sound barrier and heightening fear among residents.
Israeli drones also launched strikes on vehicles in West Bekaa, killing one person. Sohmor and Bouday towns experienced consecutive airstrikes, resulting in several martyrs and injuries.
The Israeli air force also continued targeting civil defense and emergency services. An air raid destroyed the premises of the Islamic Scout Association near Khirbet Selm in Bent Jbeil district, affecting local rescue operations. Emergency service points in Tyre, Deir al-Zahrani, and Derdghaiya were similarly targeted, resulting in several deaths and injuries among paramedics, and destroying ambulances and fire trucks.
A statement from Lebanon's Health Authority described these attacks as deliberate efforts to prevent paramedics and emergency workers from conducting humanitarian missions. So far, six paramedics have died in airstrikes, bringing the toll among medical responders to 178 since the onset of the conflict, with 279 injured and 246 emergency vehicles targeted.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reported that the strikes have targeted 55 healthcare facilities, including 36 direct hits, leading to the closure of eight hospitals and restricting operations at seven more.
As the situation escalates, the Lebanese government and humanitarian agencies have called for international intervention to protect civilians and prevent further casualties. The continuous attacks have sparked a widespread humanitarian crisis, with displacement and medical needs at critical levels across Lebanon. (ILKHA)