An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday struck a municipal building in Nabatieh, a major town in southern Lebanon, killing 16 people, including the town's mayor, Ahmed Kahil. The attack marks the most significant strike on Lebanese state infrastructure since Israel began its intensified military campaign against Hezbollah. More than 50 people were wounded in the attack, according to Lebanese officials, who have condemned the incident as evidence that Israel's assault has expanded to target Lebanon's state apparatus.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticized Israel's actions, stating that the strike "intentionally targeted a meeting of the municipal council to discuss the city's service and relief situation" for residents displaced by the ongoing conflict. The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, visiting northern Israel near the Lebanese border, dismissed the possibility of halting military operations against Hezbollah. "Hezbollah is in great distress," Gallant said, reiterating that negotiations would only proceed "under fire."
Israel's military campaign in Lebanon aims to dismantle Hezbollah's operations, following a year in which the Iran-backed group launched attacks from Lebanon in support of Hamas militants in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched both ground and air operations to target Hezbollah's infrastructure in southern Lebanon. As part of its efforts, Israel issued an evacuation notice for Nabatieh on October 3, but Mayor Kahil had previously told Reuters he would not leave.
In addition to targeting Nabatieh, Israeli warplanes conducted strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday. These are the first strikes on the capital in nearly a week, following Israel's ongoing campaign against Hezbollah strongholds. Witnesses reported two blasts in the city, with smoke rising from the neighborhoods. Israel stated that its operation targeted an underground Hezbollah weapons cache, and that numerous steps were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing warnings before the strike.
The Lebanese health ministry reports that over the past year, Israel's operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 2,350 people, with more than 1.2 million displaced across Lebanon. The United Nations has reported that a quarter of Lebanon's population is currently under evacuation orders. The toll includes hundreds of women and children, though it does not distinguish between civilians and Hezbollah fighters. In the same period, around 50 Israelis, including both soldiers and civilians, have been killed.
International reactions have been swift. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a peacekeeping mission of around 10,000 troops from 50 countries, including Italy, France, and Spain, has reported coming under Israeli fire on several occasions. Israel has disputed these accounts but has called for UNIFIL's relocation for safety reasons. "The State of Israel places great importance on the activities of UNIFIL and has no intention of harming the organization or its personnel," Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated, emphasizing that UNIFIL's presence would be crucial in stabilizing the region after the conflict with Hezbollah.
However, tensions with European countries contributing to UNIFIL remain high. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed that European contributors had held a conference call, emphasizing the essential role of the peacekeeping force. France has also responded to the escalating violence, banning Israeli firms from participating in an upcoming military naval trade show, reflecting strains between Israel and its European allies.
Meanwhile, the United States has expressed concerns over the scale and intensity of Israel's strikes in Beirut. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. had communicated its worries to Israeli officials, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the airstrikes. Washington also pressured Israel to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning that military aid to Israel could be at risk if its demands were not met within 30 days.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces have continued ground operations to secure border towns and dismantle Hezbollah's tunnel networks, which Israel claims are used to transport fighters and weapons. In the town of Mhaibib, Israeli forces released video footage showing multiple explosions as they targeted Hezbollah's elite Radwan Forces. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that these ground operations are confined to several kilometers from the border to ensure the area is clear of Hezbollah militants.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel's goal is to neutralize Hezbollah's capacity to launch attacks and allow the safe return of 70,000 Israelis evacuated from northern border areas. The IDF reported that Hezbollah launched more than 90 rockets and drones across the border on Wednesday alone. "We will continue to defend the State of Israel and its people against the threat posed by the Hezbollah terrorist organization," the IDF stated.
As the conflict escalates, Lebanon faces increasing internal displacement, with the United Nations estimating that approximately 400,000 children have been forced to flee their homes. The scale of the humanitarian crisis is raising questions about the possibility of diplomatic resolution. Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati expressed doubts over potential ceasefire negotiations, criticizing what he described as a disregard for international peacekeeping efforts. "What can deter the enemy (Israel) from its crimes, which have reached the point of targeting peacekeeping forces in the south?" Mikati said in a statement.
