Beirut, April 9: The Israeli military continues its assault on Lebanon, launching airstrikes across various regions even after a ceasefire announcement. According to Lebanon’s Civil Defense Agency, the attacks have resulted in 254 fatalities and left 1,165 individuals injured. The country has declared a national day of mourning.
On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that their operations led to the deaths of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem and his advisor, Ali Yusuf Arshi. The IDF stated that this action was part of an ongoing military operation in Lebanon.
The IDF reported that Qassem was targeted based on precise intelligence. He was allegedly one of Hezbollah’s key leaders, playing a crucial role in the organization’s operations. His personal secretary, Arshi, was responsible for managing Qassem’s security and office.
According to Al Jazeera, Israeli attacks have been ongoing in towns such as Al-Sheikh and Meifadou, as well as in southern locations like Kounin and Ali Al-Tahir Heights.
The Israeli military described this assault as the largest on Lebanon since the initiation of their new military operation on March 2. The army indicated that over 100 Hezbollah command centers and military installations were targeted.
Numerous sites, weapon depots, and launching pads were struck. Additionally, several critical crossing points in southern Lebanon were attacked to halt the movement of weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated, similar to U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, that Lebanon is not part of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Meanwhile, Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has indicated that Lebanon has been included in the discussions.
The Lebanese government confirmed the death toll of 254 and declared a national day of mourning. According to Xinhua, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that all government offices, institutions, and municipalities would remain closed in honor of the victims and the injured, with national flags flown at half-mast.
He emphasized that efforts are ongoing to communicate with Arab leaders and international officials to halt the attacks.
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