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.



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Temporary Ceasefire Call Marks Victory for Beirut Efforts

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Temporary Ceasefire Call Marks Victory for Beirut Efforts

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)

Lebanese political and diplomatic activity is intensifying after the release of an “international-Arab call” for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
“The key lies in implementation,” Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat, describing the call itself “a victory for Lebanon’s efforts.”
Berri highlighted the role of major players, especially the US, in convincing Israel to accept the ceasefire.
He pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “says one thing and its opposite,” while stressing that Lebanon is committed to the call’s principles and ready to act.
“There is no problem on the Lebanese side, as the international joint statement addressed both Gaza and Lebanon together,” Berri stressed.
A Lebanese source involved in negotiations at the UN indicated that the obstinacy of both Israel and Hezbollah had blocked a proposed solution.

Now, efforts are focused on establishing a temporary ceasefire to allow for negotiations regarding the crisis that erupted when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, engaged with Israel to support Gaza.
The source explained that the proposed solution involved a new UN resolution to reinforce Resolution 1701, effective since the end of the 2006 Lebanon War.
However, Hezbollah’s insistence on linking a ceasefire in Gaza to this proposal and Israel’s refusal to do so thwarted the plan.
The source expressed hope for a three-week temporary ceasefire, with negotiations led by US envoy Amos Hochstein between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
In New York, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held diplomatic discussions aimed at stopping the Israeli offensive against Lebanon, engaging with European and Arab officials during his visit.
Reports suggested that Mikati had “signed a proposed ceasefire agreement” after meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and mediator Amos Hochstein.
However, the Prime Minister’s office denied these claims, asserting that they are “entirely untrue.”
The office reminded the public of Mikati’s remarks after the joint call initiated by the US and France, supported by the European Union and several countries, aimed at establishing a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon.
“We welcome the statement, but the crucial factor lies in Israel's commitment to implementing international resolutions,” said Mikati.
New York Meetings
Mikati met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who outlined Cyprus’s efforts to support Lebanon and facilitate a ceasefire, including his talks with Netanyahu.
The Lebanese premier also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, highlighting Britain’s efforts to stop the fighting.
Additionally, Mikati met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, thanking Qatar for its support of Lebanon, particularly for its backing of the Lebanese army.
The Qatari Prime Minister briefed Mikati on ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and Qatar’s role in the international committee working to elect a new president for Lebanon.