Deadliest Day: Israel Targets Lebanese Civilian Leadership

An Israeli air strike killed the mayor of a southern Lebanese city and at least 15 other people after it struck municipal buildings in Nabatiyeh, the health ministry said.

The attack raised fears that Israel is widening its campaign against Hizbollah’s Shia militants to include government offices and civilian officials. It was the first major strike on such buildings since the latest Israeli offensive began and came as satellite data showed Israel was widening the scope of its targets in Lebanon.

The attack, in which 52 were injured, also suggests Israeli targets now include Amal, a powerful Shia political party allied to Hizbollah that plays a role in the municipal government and has a strong presence in the area.

“It’s a complete massacre, and the numbers of dead and wounded are still rising,” Hwaida Turk, the provincial governor, told the Financial Times, confirming the deaths of mayor Ahmad Kaheel and the committee members. Those killed alongside Kaheel included at least four members of the city’s crisis committee tasked with organising relief efforts for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced since Israel escalated its air campaign in Lebanon at the end of last month, she added.

Israel’s military said it struck dozens of Hizbollah infrastructure targets in the Nabatiyeh area that were “embedded” adjacent to civilian infrastructure.

Nabatiyeh, which is predominantly Shia, is one of southern Lebanon’s most important cities.

Both Hizbollah and its longtime allies from Amal have a presence in the city, though Amal dominates its local politics. Unlike Hizbollah, Amal does not have a well-organised military force.