An Israeli airstrike slammed into the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, a strategic town in southern Lebanon, on Wednesday, killing 16 people, including the mayor of the city – the deadliest attack on a Lebanese state building since Israel launched its air campaign.  More than 50 others were injured in the assault, ratcheting up fears that Israel’s operations are moving from targeting Hezbollah to broader attacks on Lebanon’s state infrastructure.

Lebanese officials swiftly condemned the strike, labelling it an intentional attack on the efforts made by the government to aid its citizens who were forced to flee the country due to the war already raging.  “The Israelis intentionally targeted a meeting of the municipal council to discuss the city’s service and relief situation,” stated caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, emphasising that it was a humanitarian meeting.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking from northern Israel, echoed that Israel wouldn’t stop its offensive against Hezbollah to negotiate.  “Hezbollah is in great distress.  We will negotiate only under fire,” the defence minister declared, reaffirming Israel’s tough line toward the Iran-backed militia.

Israel had launched a campaign in Lebanon after an increase in Hezbollah’s attacks in favour of Hamas, especially after the latter had attacked Israel on October 7.  Israeli air and ground attacks on southern Lebanon have been intensified as it strikes strongholds of Hezbollah as well as other border towns.  Though civilians in Nabatieh had been evacuated as early as October 3, Mayor Ahmed Kahil, killed by the strike, had said before his death that he would not leave the city.

The Israeli military said that it bombed dozens of Hezbollah targets in the region of Nabatieh, including a tunnel network used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Forces.  A video released by Israel shows several explosions in what officials say is the town of Mhaibib, near the Israeli border.

Airstrikes continue in southern Beirut as the AP reports dead and wounded “in response to a two-day Israeli barrage of its territory”.

Israeli warplanes also attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut early in the day, breaking nearly a week of calm.  Military sources said strikes targeted an underground Hezbollah arsenal, confirmed after Israel issued evacuation orders to residents in the areas attacked.

Israel is only trying to show efforts to reduce its civilian casualty rate as it “gave warning” before strikes.  However, the claims of Israeli officials are deemed accurate by some of the Lebanese authorities and Lebanese citizens due to the increasing number of deaths and destruction day after day.

This attack on Beirut follows the one which took place near the centre of the city on October 10, killing 22 people and destroying whole buildings in exceptionally densely populated neighbourhoods.  This rising intensity of the operation of the Israelis raises serious concern among international analysts about the security of forces located in southern Lebanon for U.N. peacekeeping missions.

This presents serious alarm in the international community as France, Spain, and other European nations begin to express concerns regarding the safety of their peacekeeping forces.  The United Nations reports several incidents wherein its forces have been attacked by Israel, which is denied by Israel for part of these incidents.

Meanwhile, the U.N. and other aid agencies appeal for even more assistance to the millions dislodged from their homes by the conflict.  At least 2,350 have been killed in Lebanon in over a year of fighting.  More than 1.2 million have lost homes

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