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ISRAEL Israel targets Hezbollah but affects (also) Christians: 32 dead in Aïn el-Delb

Yesterday alone in Lebanon there were more than 105 victims and 359 injured. The southern village was also targeted, and there is “at least one confirmed victim” in the Christian community. The target was the leader of the Party of God in Sidon, and to eliminate him they razed an entire building inhabited by civilians. Prime Minister Mikati speaks of a million displaced people. Maronite Patriarch: Strengthen unity among the Lebanese.

Beirut () – Among the more than 105 dead and 359 injured that were recorded yesterday in Lebanon due to Israeli bombings against Hezbollah targets – which continue incessantly even after having killed the head of the pro-Iranian Party of God, Hassan Nasrallah – There are also dozens of victims in a Christian village. Local sources, reproduced by messages and publications of condolence on social networks, report a provisional balance of at least 32 victims in Aïn el-Delb, near Sidon, in the south of the country, attacked by Star of David fighters at the same time. time than the Bekaa Valley. The attacks – explains an official on condition of anonymity – occurred late in the afternoon “in a mixed area of ​​the predominantly Christian village.” So far, the death of a Christian woman and about 53 injured people have been confirmed, some of whom are in serious condition.”

The source of explains that “the target of the Israeli attack was an expert fighter and member of the Hezbollah hierarchy, identified by the name of Ahmad Awarki”, who among other things appears to be “responsible” for the Shiite movement “in the city of Sidon.” To make sure they killed him – he concludes – they did not hesitate to carry out a massive attack and demolished an entire building with bursts of missiles.” The total number of deaths in the building – “located in a mixed area, inhabited by Christians and Muslims, in a predominantly Christian” – and due to the series of bombings in the area it could “even be more than fifty”.

Also in the crosshairs of the Israeli army (IDF) is Tire, one of the main cities in the south, which has been attacked since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah opened the “support front” in Gaza. On the night of September 28, the bombings hit a hangar in the Jal el-Bahr area, at the northern entrance to the city. Others targeted the eastern area and others targeted an intersection near the Jabal Amel hospital. The strikes and drone fire also hit a pharmacy, residential buildings and the southern boardwalk. Witnesses claim that since the early hours of the morning the entire administrative area of ​​Tire has been subject to intense shelling by IDF fighters.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian emergency of Israel’s war against Lebanese Hezbollah becomes increasingly serious from the capital to the south in the border area. Interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared that the number of displaced people who have been forced to leave their homes has now reached one million, in “the largest displacement movement ever recorded.” The massive wave of airstrikes, the head of government continued, forced the population “to flee Beirut and other parts of the country, such as the southern border areas.” Meanwhile, local authorities and humanitarian groups, including Caritas Lebanon, are deploying efforts and resources to help those in need, while shelters and hospitals come under increasing pressure.

Finally, the Maronite Patriarch, Card. Beshara Raï also spoke yesterday about the latest events that have affected Lebanon, with the escalation of the conflict and the death of the leader of Hezbollah, in the homily at Sunday Mass, which often becomes the opportunity for an analysis of the context. political. “The death of Hassan Nasrallah – stated the cardinal – has opened a wound in the hearts of the Lebanese” but what has happened, as on other occasions with the murder of Christian and Muslim leaders, “strengthens the unity among the Lebanese, the unity of blood, belonging and destiny.” In the celebration that took place at the Dimane summer residence, prayers were prayed for peace, and the cardinal also referred to the political-institutional crisis that has paralyzed the country for a long time, without a president of the Republic and with a interim government. “The international community – he concluded – is called to act to interrupt the vicious circle of war, death and destruction, preparing the ground for a just peace that guarantees the rights of all peoples and components of the region.” And all Lebanese are called to support “the Lebanese house in the spirit of the National Pact, in a rule of law and with institutions.”



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