AiBotBeirut, Lebanon – In a move widely regarded as a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli warplanes conducted a series of airstrikes on the town of Srifa, situated in the country’s southern region, on Tuesday evening.
Eyewitnesses reported that the airstrikes, which began around 9:30 pm local time, targeted multiple locations within the town, resulting in widespread destruction and chaos. According to initial reports, several buildings, including residential units and infrastructure, were severely damaged or completely leveled by the bombing campaign.
The Israeli military has yet to officially confirm the specifics of the operation, although sources close to the matter indicate that the airstrikes were carried out in response to rockets allegedly fired from Lebanon into northern Israel earlier in the day.
Witnesses in Srifa described scenes of panic and fear as the airstrikes rocked the town, with many residents rushing to seek shelter as explosions and missile impacts shook the area. “It was absolute chaos,” said one local resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “We heard explosions nearby, and then people were running in every direction, trying to get away from the impact zones.”
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), multiple injuries were reported in the aftermath of the airstrikes, with casualties believed to be relatively light. However, the full extent of the damage and potential human toll remains unclear.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a statement condemning the airstrikes and emphasizing the need for restraint on all parties involved in the conflict. The move is seen as a response to mounting regional pressures and growing concerns within Lebanon about the escalating crisis between its own government and neighboring Israel.
This development comes as ongoing diplomatic tensions between Israel and Lebanon have increased in recent months, particularly following a series of attacks and counter-attacks on each other’s territories.