8 Martyrs in Israeli Targeting of Sidon City in Southern Lebanon

SadaNews - At least 8 people were martyred early Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike targeting the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

The ministry stated in a statement that "the Israeli enemy's airstrike on Sidon in southern Lebanon resulted, in initial reports, in the martyrdom of 8 citizens and the injury of 22 others." Local media reported that the strike hit the city's waterfront and broadcast images showing destruction at a café.

Flames were seen raging at the café, with glass scattered on the road. Firefighting teams worked to extinguish the fire while the Lebanese army cordoned off the area. Vehicles parked at the site were damaged.

Extensive Strikes in the South

The Israeli army had issued a warning to residents of the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes on Tuesday night, while continuing its strikes on several areas.

According to a tally by the Anadolu Agency, Israel has conducted aerial and artillery attacks on 66 areas in southern Lebanon since early Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of 8 people and at least 18 injuries.

The bombardment targeted several cities and towns, including Bint Jbeil, Ain Baal, Ma’araka, Tyre Debba, Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, Ain Qana, Tebnine, and al-Abasieh, in addition to artillery shelling on towns such as al-Haniyya, al-Qlaileh, Safad al-Battikh, Barashit, and others.

The airstrikes also resulted in widespread destruction of homes and buildings in the south of the country, particularly around the town of Tayyabah and east of the town of Sahmur.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army announced the targeting of a new bridge over the Litani River, raising the number of targeted bridges to 7 since the start of its extensive aggression on March 2.

Lebanese authorities reported that the expanded Israeli aggression on Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of 1,530 people and injuries to 4,812 others, in addition to the displacement of more than one million people.

This escalation comes in the context of the war that Israel and the United States have been waging against Iran since February 28, which has caused thousands of deaths and injuries, along with targeted assassinations of prominent figures, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In this context, the United States and Iran announced early Wednesday that they had reached an agreement for a ceasefire lasting two weeks, during which negotiations for a final agreement between the two parties will take place.