JERUSALEM -- Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut killed at least 14 people on Easter Saturday, April 5, according to Al Jazeera citing Lebanon's Health Ministry. [1] Reuters confirmed 11 in separately verified incidents. [2]
The deadliest strike hit Kfarhata, a village in south Lebanon: seven killed, including a 4-year-old child and five members of the same family. [3] A Lebanese army soldier died in a separate southern strike. [4] In Beirut's southern suburb, four were killed and 39 wounded. [5]
The strikes arrived one day after Israel formally announced a plan to permanently occupy parts of southern Lebanon — to destroy border towns and maintain a military buffer zone indefinitely. [6] The announcement reframes what the Lebanon campaign is for: not degrade-and-withdraw, but hold territory.
Lebanon has lost more than 1,400 people since the invasion began, including at least 54 health workers. [7]
-- YOSEF STERN, Jerusalem