At least 15 rescue workers were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday, marking one of the deadliest attacks on Lebanese emergency responders since the escalation of conflict. The attack, which targeted a civil defense building in Douris, near the city of Baalbek, destroyed the local emergency center. The victims included the city’s civil defense chief, Bilal Raad.
The Israeli military has not issued a statement on the airstrike, but the Lebanese health ministry has condemned the attack, calling it “barbaric.” The Lebanese civil defense, which is responsible for emergency rescue operations and firefighting, is affiliated with the Lebanese government, not Hezbollah.
A second Israeli strike on Thursday destroyed another civil defense facility in Arab Salim, in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh region, killing six, including five paramedics, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA. These attacks bring the total number of emergency and health workers killed in Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began in September to at least 192.
Israel’s air campaign has intensified in recent days, with airstrikes continuing in Beirut’s southern suburbs, home to Hezbollah. On Friday, airstrikes continued for the fourth consecutive day after evacuation orders were issued by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who say they are targeting Hezbollah-linked infrastructure.
As international pressure for a ceasefire increases, U.S. officials have presented a ceasefire proposal to Lebanese authorities. The Lebanese government insists that any agreement must be based on United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution requires the removal of Hezbollah forces and weapons from areas between the Blue Line (the unofficial border) and the Litani River.
Negotiations are ongoing, and a potential agreement may include the deployment of additional Lebanese military forces and the creation of a monitoring mechanism. However, Israel has made clear that it will retain the right to take action in Lebanon if the terms of any agreement are violated. So far, there is little indication that Hezbollah or the Lebanese government will accept such terms.
Despite suffering heavy losses from Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah remains active, continuing its daily attacks on northern Israel. The group, which has been severely weakened by the Israeli bombardment, appears to be regrouping, according to analysts.
During a visit by Ali Larijani, senior advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to achieving a ceasefire and fully implementing Resolution 1701 without any changes or reinterpretations. Mikati confirmed that discussions to reach an agreement are still ongoing.
