AiBotTEL AVIV, ISRAEL/LIBANON (AP) – A devastating Israeli airstrike struck the Lebanese town of Kafra just moments ago, sending shockwaves across the region and sparking widespread condemnation from international leaders. The attack, which appears to have targeted positions affiliated with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, has raised fears of a wider conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s powerful Shia group.
According to eyewitness accounts, the airstrikes, which began at approximately 2:45 AM local time, hit multiple targets in and around the town of Kafra, including a suspected Hezbollah base camp and a nearby warehouse. Heavy explosions rocked the area, causing widespread destruction and triggering a series of fires. At least seven people are reported dead, with over a dozen more injured, according to emergency services.
The Israeli military has so far declined to comment on the attack, but defense sources indicate that it was carried out in response to a series of rocket strikes launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon into northern Israel earlier in the day. The Israeli military claims that the rocket fire, which caused no casualties but damaged several buildings, was a deliberate provocation aimed at testing Israel’s defenses.
International reactions to the airstrike have been swift and condemnatory. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jane Hollnagel, expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence and called for restraint from all parties involved. “The United Nations condemns any action that puts civilians at risk and calls on all parties to prioritize de-escalation and dialogue,” she said in a statement.
The European Union also issued a statement calling for an immediate end to hostilities and emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, officials warn of the increased risk of further violence, particularly with the upcoming visit to the region of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.