Lebanese Minister: 9,000 Homes Damaged in Israeli Attacks

 Men inspect the damage to a building a day after an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern village of Dibbin on March 6, 2024, amid escalating cross-border hostilities during the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP)
Men inspect the damage to a building a day after an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern village of Dibbin on March 6, 2024, amid escalating cross-border hostilities during the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP)
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Lebanese Minister: 9,000 Homes Damaged in Israeli Attacks

 Men inspect the damage to a building a day after an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern village of Dibbin on March 6, 2024, amid escalating cross-border hostilities during the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP)
Men inspect the damage to a building a day after an Israeli strike in Lebanon's southern village of Dibbin on March 6, 2024, amid escalating cross-border hostilities during the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP)

Hezbollah announced on Friday that the majority of its fighters killed in the latest conflict with Israel were born between 2004 and 2005.

The announcement confirms a recent report that showed that more than 63 percent of Hezbollah members killed in the conflict were aged between 26 and 40. The majority of them were killed in the third week of fighting, which erupted in October, and hail from the South.

The Information International consultancy firm said the war has killed 290 people in Lebanon since October, including 228 Hezbollah members.

Moreover, 117 Hezbollah members killed were aged between 20 and 35, or 51.4 percent of the casualties. Twenty-three casualties were aged between 20 and 25, or 9.2 percent, 47 between 26 and 30, 49 between 31 and 35 years of age, 48 between 36 and 40 years of age, 20 between 41 and 45 years of age, and 43 older than 45 years of age.

The Iran-backed party announced on Friday the death of three of its members in fighting against Israel. They all hailed from the southern town of Blida, which Israel has been heavily attacking in recent days, leaving several houses destroyed.

Speaking at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris, Lebanon’s caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ali Hamiyeh revealed that hundreds of houses have been destroyed or partially destroyed in the Israeli attacks. Over 9,000 houses have been partially destroyed.

On the ground, Hezbollah announced that it had carried out several operations against Israel, targeting Israeli soldiers in the Rweisat al-Alam, al-Raheb, and al-Naqoura areas and vehicles in the Kfar Shouba region.

Israel meanwhile said its jets struck Hezbollah military command centers in the al-Mansouri and Bint Jbeil regions in the South.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Israeli shelling that hit the region between Houla and Mays al-Jabal. Israeli jets struck and destroyed a house in the al-Mashaat area between al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun.



French-Algerian Novelist Sansal Appeals Detention Decision

Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
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French-Algerian Novelist Sansal Appeals Detention Decision

Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)

Renowned French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal has been placed in detention at a hospital unit in Algeria’s capital, as his defense team appealed the decision to detain him.

Sansal’s lawyers in Algeria on Wednesday met with their client in the prison unit of Mustapha Hospital in Algiers, his lawyer in France François Zimeray said. The writer appeared to be worried but otherwise in good spirits, and did not complain of mistreatment, he said. His lawyers plan to seek his release on bail.

Sansal, 75, who obtained French citizenship earlier this year, was arrested this month at Algiers airport upon returning from France.

The writer was indicted Tuesday under Algeria’s Article 87 bis on charges of “undermining the integrity of the national territory,” the lawyer added.
On Friday, Algeria’s state news agency APS finally acknowledged his arrest without clarifying the circumstances.
Sansal has repeatedly criticized Algerian officials.

His arrest comes as relations between France and Algeria face newfound strains. France in July backed Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, angering Algeria.