13 killed, 5 injured in Israeli airstrikes on southern, eastern Lebanon

BEIRUT, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) — Israeli airstrikes on Thursday killed 13 people and injured five others in eastern and southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese Civil Defense sources.
Among the fatalities, four were reported in Bodai town, three in Deir al-Zahrani village, two in Dibbine village, three in Sohmor town, and one in Qaraoun village, said the Civil Defense sources, adding that a child was among the injured.
Meanwhile, military sources, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that Israeli warplanes and drones carried out 12 airstrikes in southern Lebanon and six in the east, including one that targeted a motorcycle in Qaraoun.
The military sources said Israeli warplanes also carried out four airstrikes at dawn on the southeastern village of Khiam, adding that “for the third day in a row, clashes involving various types of machine guns and rockets, took place between Hezbollah members and Israeli infantry forces who were trying to advance from the eastern side of Khiam to its western and central sides.”
For its part, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that its members targeted Israeli gatherings in areas south of Khiam, Wadi al-Assafir Plain, Al Wazzani orchards, and Mari Plain with rocket barrages.
Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued an urgent evacuation warning to residents of a dozen localities in southern Lebanon, including Rashidieh camp which houses thousands of Palestinian refugees in the south of Lebanon’s coastal city of Tyre.
IDF Spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned on social media platform X that “anyone near Hezbollah members, its facilities, or its weapons will be putting their life at risk,” adding the residents will be informed of the appropriate time to return.
Also on Thursday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced evacuation warnings issued by Israel to displace civilians from their residences as “an additional war crime” committed by Israel, apart from its killing of people and destruction of cities.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been launching an intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah. Earlier this month, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon.
Since Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border amid fears of a broader conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip. ■