In brief
A devastating airstrike in southern Lebanon's Teffahta village killed 19 people, among them a former principal, his family, and an imam, prompting concern over civilian safety amidst ongoing military actions against Hezbollah.
At least 19 individuals fell victim to an Israeli airstrike on a family residence in Teffahta, a village located in southern Lebanon, according to statements from local officials. The deceased, reported by Suad Hammoud to the BBC, included six women and five children, with notable casualties being ex-school principal Ahmed Ezzedine and members from three generations of his family who resided in a three-storey home.The village's imam, Sheikh Abdo Abo Rayya, was reportedly killed as he walked near the building during the attack, alongside two bystanders. While the Israeli military has not officially commented on the incident, it has previously stated its commitment to minimizing civilian casualties while carrying out numerous air strikes targeting Hezbollah's military assets in Lebanon.The traumatic strike occurred soon after a funeral for Ezzedine's cousin Khodr, who was killed in an airstrike on a neighboring village. Hammoud refuted claims made by the state-run National News Agency (NNA) suggesting the house was targeted during a wake, asserting that only family members were present at the time of the incident as public gatherings for condolences have significantly diminished due to the ongoing conflict.Details emerged about Ezzedine's household, with reports indicating that he resided on the ground floor of the building, while his children and their families lived above him. Witnesses recounted the destruction that ensued, with visuals featuring plumes of smoke rising from the site and extensive debris that had been part of the upper floors.The local health ministry has yet to provide an official death toll, but according to Hammoud and community posts on social media, the number stands at 19. The fatalities included several children and women closely associated with the Ezzedine family, alongside Sheikh Abo Rayya and passers-by who were unfortunately caught in the blast.Witnesses indicated that the strike occurred at around 17:10 local time, shortly following a funeral service, as the imam was headed to prayer. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that he was not the intended target and was severely injured due to the force of the explosion, subsequently succumbing to injuries at a hospital.This tragic event follows reports to the UN human rights office, highlighting concerns about civilian casualties and possible violations of international humanitarian law in various airstrikes against residential areas in Lebanon. As the military actions continue, Israel's operations have intensified in response to rocket fire from Hezbollah, resulting in over 2,500 casualties in Lebanon since October, including 1,900 in the recent weeks. In contrast, Israel has reported 59 deaths in its territory as a direct consequence of ongoing hostilities.
