'It was a civilian home' - Residents call for action as Israeli strikes leave several dead in eastern Lebanon

"Residents in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, have called for action after Israeli airstrikes continued in the region, killing several people and destroying dozens of homes. Footage shows properties reduced to rubble as locals search through the wreckage for loved ones, while some residents gather at Baalbek Government Hospital awaiting news. "We remain on constant alert, receiving all types of cases—surgical, war-related, and medical. Right now, we have no wounded patients, though we have treated many and performed surgeries on them. We have several elderly patients on ventilators due to the city's lockdown and power outages. The elderly have specific medical needs, and their conditions worsened," explained Abbas Shukr, Director of Baalbek Governmental Hospital. "All the wounded are our kin. In Baalbeck, we are all one family. What we need is not material support, but a political decision, for our leaders to stand with their people. Because we will remain steadfast, and we will not be defeated," added resident, Hussein Abbas. Last week, four people were killed and seven wounded following an alleged Israeli airstrike on residential buildings in Baalbek, according to local media. The Israeli military did not comment on the Baalbeck strike but has repeatedly stated it is expanding its military operations in Lebanon. It comes after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the demolition of bridges used by Hezbollah across the Litani River, which connects southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, and the demolition of houses 'in the contact villages.' The 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah lasted roughly a year before a ceasefire was reached. But tensions have flared again with Israel launching a new military operation earlier this month, following Hezbollah's entry into the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported the latest hostilities have killed 1,029 people and injured 2,786 at the time of publication."

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