2024-11-14 21:54:00
According to the Ministry of Health there, dozens of people have been killed and injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon. According to authorities, at least eight people were killed in an attack in the historic town of Baalbek in the east of the country. There were five women among them. 27 other people were injured. Four people were reportedly killed in further attacks on various locations in the east of the country.
The Ministry of Health also reported that at least six people were killed in an attack in Arab Salim in the south of the country. Among the victims were four helpers who belonged to a rescue service affiliated with Hezbollah. At least 13 other people were killed in other attacks in the south of the country. At least 30 people were injured in one attack in Nabatija alone.
The governor of Baalbek-Hermel, Bachir Khodr, reported on platform X about another attack on a civil defense center in the town of Duris near Baalbek. According to information, at least twelve people were killed. The rescue work is still ongoing. Khodr had previously said there were at least 20 people in the center at the time of the attack.
In addition, according to the United Nations, peacekeepers were shot at by unknown attackers. The attack came after soldiers from the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL discovered a hidden ammunition dump during a patrol near the southern Lebanese town of Kalauija, observers said. To continue their journey, they briefly left their vehicle to clear debris from the road. There were no injuries or damage.
Two or three unknown people then fired around 30 shots at the peacekeepers as they wanted to get back in. The soldiers returned fire from their vehicle. It is unclear whether the shelling was related to the ammunition depot, UNIFIL said. The UN observers recalled that attacks against peacekeepers constitute a violation of international law and Resolution 1701. The Lebanese authorities have been asked to fully investigate the incident.
UNIFIL soldiers are stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor the demarcation line with Israel, an area where hostilities have raged between Israeli troops and Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters for more than a year. Austria has been participating in the Blue Helmets in Lebanon with a logistics contingent since 2011 and has 160 to 170 members of the armed forces on site.
Israel is waging war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The pro-Iranian militia has been shelling the neighboring country for more than a year, according to its own statements in support of the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which in turn carried out a massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023 with around 1,200 deaths.
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How do the roles of local rescue services, particularly those affiliated with Hezbollah, complicate the situation in Lebanon?
**Interview with Dr. Amir Saeed, Middle East Conflict Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Saeed. We’re witnessing tragic developments in Lebanon following recent Israeli attacks. Can you provide us with an overview of the current situation based on the reports from the Ministry of Health?
**Dr. Saeed:** Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed dire. Recent attacks have resulted in significant loss of life, particularly in areas like Baalbek and the southern regions of Lebanon. The reported deaths include both civilians and members of emergency services, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these conflicts. The casualties in Baalbek alone, where eight people were killed—including five women—are deeply concerning, and the additional attacks in places like Arab Salim further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
**Editor:** The involvement of local rescue services, such as those affiliated with Hezbollah, seems to be a focal point in these reports. What does that signify for the broader context of the conflict?
**Dr. Saeed:** The presence of Hezbollah-affiliated rescue workers among the casualties illustrates the complex layers of this conflict. It reflects the intertwining of civilian and military structures in the region. These groups often provide critical services in areas underserved by the government, which adds a further level of tragedy when they become targets. It speaks to the desperation and volatility of the situation in Lebanon, indicating that no one is truly safe amid these hostilities.
**Editor:** In light of these attacks, what can you tell us about the international response? Is there any movement towards a cessation of hostilities or humanitarian aid for those affected?
**Dr. Saeed:** International response has historically been slow and often hampered by geopolitical interests. While there are calls for ceasefires and humanitarian aid, these often tend to be sidelined by political agendas. Organizations on the ground are working to provide assistance where they can, but the ongoing violence makes it extremely challenging. The international community must engage more actively to foster dialogue and ensure that aid reaches those in desperate need.
**Editor:** what are the next steps that you foresee both for Lebanon and the region as a whole?
**Dr. Saeed:** Moving forward, we may see an escalation in tensions not only within Lebanon but also involving neighboring countries, given that public sentiment in the region is heavily influenced by these ongoing conflicts. The potential for diplomacy is always there, but it will require concerted effort from both local leaders and the international community. The priority needs to be de-escalation, protection of civilians, and addressing humanitarian needs, which are at an all-time high.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Saeed. We hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing violence and the safety of those affected.
**Dr. Saeed:** Thank you, and I share that hope as well.
