Islam Times - Lebanon Accuses Israel of War Crimes as Border Village Attacks Intensify

Islam Times - The Israeli military has ramped up its offensive in southern Lebanon, destroying residential homes in three border villages and drawing accusations of war crimes from the Lebanese government.

The Israeli army has carried out demolition operations in the Lebanese border villages of Yaroun, Aitaroun, and Maroun al-Ras, using explosives to destroy residential buildings, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reports.

The Bint Jbeil area, where these villages are located, has been the target of frequent attacks as part of Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 52 people have been killed in southern Lebanon within the last 24 hours due to Israeli attacks.

In another recent incident, Israeli aircraft bombed a building on the main road in the village of Kfar Tebnit in Lebanon’s Nabatieh governorate. The building, which housed both residential apartments and commercial spaces, was completely destroyed, resulting in at least two deaths, according to NNA.

Lebanese paramedic Zaher Ibrahim Ataya, from Tyre Harfa, was also killed in an Israeli airstrike. The strike targeted a new medical facility on a road linking Deir Qanoun to Ras al-Ain and Naqoura in the Tyre district, the NNA reported without specifying the exact time.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported over 3,100 fatalities since the escalation of war in September, with a toll including nearly 200 children and over 600 women.

Thousands have also been injured, and the psychological impact on children is severe, as constant drone and airstrikes heighten fear and trauma.

On Thursday, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle at a Lebanese army checkpoint in Sidon, killing three individuals and injuring several others, including Lebanese soldiers and UN peacekeepers. Six Malaysian peacekeepers were among the injured.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry denounced the attack as a “war crime,” calling it a violation of international humanitarian law due to Israel’s increased targeting of UNIFIL forces, Lebanese soldiers, and civilians.

In response to the conflict’s intensification, countries including Russia, Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Turkey, and China have been evacuating their nationals from Lebanon.

A Russian plane carrying 89 Russian citizens, including 34 children, arrived in Moscow on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

The Lebanese government maintains that Israel’s actions constitute war crimes and has urged the international community to hold Israel accountable.