Israeli Air Strikes in Nabatieh Kill Mayor and 15 Others: UN Criticizes Attack on Lebanon

Israeli Air Strikes in Nabatieh

The UN's special coordinator for Lebanon has condemned Israel following air strikes on municipal buildings in Nabatieh that resulted in the deaths of Mayor Ahmad Kahil and 15 others. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert described the mayor's killing as “alarming” and labeled any breaches of international humanitarian law as “completely unacceptable.”

Among those killed were at least five municipal staff members who were coordinating aid for civilians still in the area, according to Nabatiyeh Governor Howaida Turk. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the attack as an intentional strike on a council meeting. This incident marks one of the most significant assaults on Lebanese state infrastructure since the recent escalation of violence that began two weeks ago, raising serious concerns about the safety of government facilities.

In response, a spokesman for the Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted numerous Hezbollah positions in the region and destroyed a tunnel utilized by the Iran-backed group. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, claimed that Hezbollah often exploits civilian structures for military purposes.

Governor Turk noted that while many residents of Nabatieh had evacuated due to heavy Israeli bombardments, the mayor and municipal staff remained to assist those who stayed behind. She characterized the attack as part of a broader pattern of strikes against civilians and critical infrastructure, stating, “It is unacceptable. It is a massacre.”

Recent air strikes have also damaged historic sites in Nabatieh, including an Ottoman-era market dating back to 1910. Additionally, Israel launched strikes on the southern suburb of Dahieh in Beirut, the first on the capital in five days. This attack occurred after the US reportedly urged Israel to exercise restraint regarding its bombings in Beirut.

Residents returning to Dahieh described the area as a ghost town, filled with rubble and debris from destroyed buildings. The US State Department expressed concern over the scale of Israel’s bombing campaign, emphasizing that these worries had been communicated to the Israeli government.

An Israeli military spokesperson claimed that prior to the strike in Beirut, efforts were made to minimize civilian harm, including advance warnings. However, Amnesty International criticized these warnings as “inadequate” and “misleading,” asserting that they do not absolve Israel of its responsibilities under international humanitarian law.

In recent days, Israel has escalated its air campaign, with a strike in the northern village of Aitou resulting in the deaths of 23 people, including 12 women and two children, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The UN human rights office has called for an investigation into this strike, citing serious concerns regarding compliance with international humanitarian law.

Israeli Air Strikes in Nabatieh Kill Mayor and 15 Others: UN Criticizes Attack on Lebanon