Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes targeting Hezbollah sites

What happened

The BBC Middle East Lebanon desk reports that Israel carried out intensive air and artillery strikes across nearly 50 locations in southern and eastern Lebanon, killing at least 31 people including children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration to intensify military operations against Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated it targeted more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters, describing the attacks as some of the heaviest since the ceasefire began in mid-April.

The central claim remains unconfirmed in the supplied material and should be treated as hearsay until corroborated by another reliable source or a named official. Netanyahu told a security cabinet meeting that Israel was "deepening our operation in Lebanon" and that the Israel Defense Forces were deploying large ground forces to seize key terrain and fortify security zones protecting northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah. Shortly after the attacks, a projectile was launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, falling into an open area with no injuries reported by the Israeli military.

The ongoing Israeli strikes hit areas including the Bekaa Valley village of Mashghara and Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon. Some strikes reportedly targeted sites near Beaufort Castle, a UNESCO-recognized medieval fortress. Videos and reports from Lebanon show families attempting to flee southern Beirut suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, amid rising fears. Survivors describe harrowing rescues of children from rubble after missile strikes destroyed homes in villages such as Mashghara, where rescue crews found several bodies and injured civilians.

Known from the source

• Israel conducted extensive air and artillery strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon targeting more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters, according to the Israeli military.
• The Lebanese health ministry reports at least 31 people killed, including several children, and additional injuries in these strikes.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly vowed to intensify strikes against Hezbollah.
• There was a projectile launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, landing in an open area with no injuries reported.
• Some strikes reportedly hit near Beaufort Castle, a UNESCO heritage site.

What remains unclear

The Lebanese health ministry’s figures point to at least 31 deaths, including civilians and children, with additional injuries reported. Israeli military sources claim the strikes targeted Hezbollah "infrastructure sites where terrorists activity was identified," and say some militants were eliminated. However, specific responsibility for casualties remains unconfirmed, and the exact number of militants versus civilian casualties is unclear. Hezbollah’s response and the broader consequences for Lebanon’s internal security and displacement remain to be seen.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Exact breakdown of casualties between civilian and militant deaths. Verification of Hezbollah’s military losses or response. Confirmation of strikes near Beaufort Castle and assessment of potential damage to the heritage site.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: BBC Middle East Lebanon. Open the source.