16 killed, dozens injured in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon / ISTANBUL

Israeli airstrikes hit two towns in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, killing at least 16 people and wounding 40 others, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said on Monday.

Israeli fighter jets struck the town of Tayr Debba, leaving nine people dead and injuring 17 others, the ministry said in a statement.

Another attack hit the town of Joya, killing seven people and injuring 23 others, it added.

The Lebanese group Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it targeted Israeli soldiers attempting to advance in the border towns of Markaba and Rab Selasin with rocket fire.

Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands across Lebanon since March 2, amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah.

The escalation flared up since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, killing more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.