Lebanon Reports 60 Casualties from Israeli Air Strikes in Bekaa Valley

The ongoing conflict has led to substantial destruction and loss of life in Lebanon, underscoring the dangerous nature of cross-border tensions.

At least 60 individuals were reported deceased following a series of Israeli air strikes on Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Among the dead are two children, as strikes targeted 16 locations within the Baalbek region, prompting urgent rescue operations from the government. A total of 58 others were injured during the bombardment. Rescue efforts have continued amid the devastation, which predominantly affects Hezbollah's stronghold, but the Israeli military has yet to release a statement regarding the attacks.

Governor Bachie Khodr labeled the air strikes as the "most violent" experienced in the region since the escalating conflict with Hezbollah initiated a month earlier. Unverified videos circulated on social media depicted widespread destruction and fire engulfing local forests and buildings, while rescuers tirelessly searched for survivors. Residents in the town of Boudai were seen pleading for assistance as heavy machinery was urgently needed to aid those trapped in the rubble. Bilal Raad, the regional head of Baalbek's Civil Defence, described the air strikes with chilling imagery: "It was like a ring of fire has suddenly surrounded the area."

The town of Al-Allaq faced the brunt of the attacks, reporting the loss of 16 lives from a single family. Notably, Baalbek is home to ancient Roman ruins that are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A representative from UNESCO confirmed that satellite image assessments did not indicate any damage to the cultural heritage site itself but stated awareness of the ongoing situation and its impacts on cultural assets.

This latest wave of violence is part of a broader Israeli campaign that has conducted thousands of air strikes throughout Lebanon over the past month, aimed primarily at Hezbollah assets. Earlier attacks on the coastal city of Tyre resulted in an additional seven deaths and 17 injuries, with Israel advising inhabitants to evacuate the city center. Clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces also intensified as the Lebanese group launched rockets targeting an Israeli naval base near Haifa.

Cross-border hostilities initially flared on October 8, following a major assault by the Palestinian group Hamas in southern Israel, which strongly influenced Hezbollah's decisions. The Lebanese health ministry reports that over 2,700 lives have been lost and more than 12,400 have been injured during this conflict. The Lebanese government continues to express grave concerns over the humanitarian crisis, revealing that approximately 1.3 million people have been internally displaced due to the ongoing violence.