Israeli airstrikes devastate Baalbek, surrounding areas, civilian casualties reported

Israeli enemy airstrikes on Tuesday morning targeted several locations in and around Baalbek, including the towns of Duris and Bazalieh, local sources confirmed. The air raids also hit the entrance to Tyre in the Jall Al-Bahr area, while overnight strikes devastated the towns of southern Lebanon's Maarakeh and Al-Hawsh. The attacks continued relentlessly throughout the night and into the morning, leaving a trail of destruction across the cities and villages of the Baalbek district. Residential buildings and civilian neighborhoods bore the brunt of the air raids. Among the victims were entire families who perished beneath the rubble, local hospital officials reported. Casualties, including both the dead and wounded, have been rushed to nearby hospitals, notably Dar Al-Amal University Hospital, Baalbek Governmental Hospital, Dar Al-Hikma, and Riyak Hospital. The city of Baalbek was encircled by the airstrikes, which struck key southern, southeastern, and northern entrances. The raids extended into the hill s of Ras Al-Ain, reaching densely populated neighborhoods, which border the historic Baalbek ruins. The Israeli bombardment also devastated surrounding towns and villages, including Al-Khoder, Janta, Nabi Sheet, Al-Safri, Tamine, Sahel Sar'in, Halanieh, Buday, and several others. Reports from affected areas indicated widespread displacement, as civilians fled to safer regions. In response, the Baalbek-Hermel Mufti's office opened its mosque halls, including the Bahaeddine Hariri Hall in the Hay Al-Sulh neighborhood, to shelter displaced residents escaping the bombing zones. Source: National news agency - Lebanon