ISTANBUL/BEIRUT, May 9 — At least 31 people, including a member of the civil defence, were killed Friday in wide-scale Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing Lebanon’s official National News Agency.
Five people were killed and three injured in two airstrikes targeting the town of Toura in the Tyre district.
The agency said rescue operations were still ongoing to search for a missing girl beneath the rubble.
It also reported multiple Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon, including in Marjayoun, Hasbaya, Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, Sidon and Jezzine districts, killing and injuring several people.
Among the incidents reported were strikes on vehicles, motorcycles and residential areas, while artillery shelling hit the outskirts of Mansouri and Buyout al-Sayyad.
Israeli military vehicles were also reported advancing toward the Buyout al-Sayyad area near Bayada early Friday.
Separately, Israeli warplanes destroyed the Hadraj building near Sheikh Ragheb Harb Hospital in Toul, injuring four paramedics from the Islamic Risala Scout Association operating near the site.
Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, said residents of the towns and villages of Nmairiyeh, Tayr Felsay, Hallousiyyeh, Upper Hallousiyyeh, Toura and Maarakeh were asked to leave.
Despite a ceasefire announced on April 17 and extended until May 17, the Israeli army continues daily strikes in Lebanon.
Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,759 people, wounded 8,512 and displaced more than 1.6 million, about one-fifth of the population, according to the latest official figures.
Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, including some it has held for decades and others since the 2023-2024 war, and has advanced about 10km inside the southern border during the current conflict.
