Lebanon declares national day of mourning after Israeli strikes

BEIRUT, April 09 (YPA) –  Lebanon declared a National Day of Mourning on Thursday following devastating Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 254 people and wounded more than 1,129 others, marking one of the deadliest escalations since the war began.

The strikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, the city of Tyre, multiple towns across southern Lebanon, and areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced a National Day of Mourning for the martyrs and wounded of the Israeli attacks that targeted hundreds of defenseless civilians.

He ordered the closure of public administrations, institutions, and municipalities, the lowering of flags on them, and the adjustment of regular broadcasting schedules on radio and television stations to reflect this national tragedy.

On the other hand, Israeli occupation army reported that one soldier was killed and five others were wounded, including an officer in serious condition, during armed clashes with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.

According to the occupation army radio, the confrontation began after troops identified militants in the operational area, leading to a direct exchange of fire that resulted in casualties among the unit.

Hezbollah, for its part, reaffirmed its “right to respond” to the “deadly Israeli strikes,” signaling the potential for further escalation in the coming hours or days.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a figure close to Hezbollah’s leadership was targeted in an airstrike on the Tallet el-Khayyat area in Beirut, as part of an expanded targeting campaign during the ongoing military operation.

@E.Y.M