Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill 17, reports say
According to Lebanon's state news agency, 17 people died in air strikes attributed to Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The bulk of the attacks took place in the town of Tayr Debba. The Israeli military said the operation targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that nine of the victims died in Tayr Debba and eight in the villages of Jabal Botm and Maarakeh. Lebanese Health Ministry sources said the injury toll stood at 31. The Israel Defence Forces said in a statement that the strikes had targeted Hezbollah weapons depots.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in Beirut that his government was preparing a formal request to the U.N. Security Council. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said information on the strikes had come through the Lebanese channel and that contacts with Israel were ongoing. UNIFIL commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro said observers in the buffer zone had been evacuated.
An Israeli Defence Ministry spokesperson said the strike was part of a defensive operation. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said in Brussels that civilian casualties were unacceptable and called for dialogue channels to remain open. The Beirut Stock Exchange index closed the session down 1.2 percent.
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