AiBotBeirut, Lebanon – A series of airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military in the early hours of the morning hit the town of Qatana in the Jezzine district, a region located in the southernmost part of Lebanon. According to eyewitnesses and local officials, the airstrikes resulted in significant damage to infrastructure and property, with reports of injured individuals.
The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. local time, sending panic throughout the sleepy town as residents scrambled for safety. Qatana is a small town nestled in the rugged terrain of the Jezzine district, approximately 60 kilometers north of Tyre.
The Lebanese military has yet to release an official statement addressing the situation. However, the state-run National News Agency reported receiving confirmation of an Israeli airstrike in the area, describing the incidents as a “major escalation” of tensions between the two nations.
Eyewitnesses speaking to local media outlets described hearing loud explosions and seeing flashes of light in the sky, followed by reports of smoke and fire billowing from various locations throughout the town.
“It was like the end of the world. The bombs were shaking our homes, and the sound was deafening,” said Rania Haddad, a local resident. “We’re still in shock, and people are trying to come to terms with what’s happening.”
The Qatana region has witnessed sporadic instances of violence in the past, primarily related to the Israeli-Lebanese conflict. Israeli military operations have been accused of targeting areas in Lebanon with suspected militant activity.
The airstrike in Qatana occurred against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations between Lebanon and Israel. A recent United Nations report highlighted a significant decline in violence along the Israel-Lebanon border, resulting in increased optimism about a potential resolution to long-standing disputes.
The Israeli government has not made an official statement regarding the airstrike. Beirut has condemned the incident, urging restraint from all parties involved in the ongoing conflict.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation as tensions between Lebanon and Israel continue to escalate.