BBC visits aftermath of Israeli strike on Lebanon that killed family as IDF targets Hezbollah
BBC Tours Site of Israeli Strike in Lebanon That Killed Family
Following a recent Israeli attack on a Lebanese town, the BBC examined the aftermath of a strike that left eight individuals, including three minors, deceased. The incident occurred in Younine, a northeastern settlement, where the yellow flag of Hezbollah—a group backed by Iran—was visible atop the rubble. Among the scattered remnants were children’s toys and sweet packages, underscoring the tragic loss of life.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that their operation targeted “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure, with operatives present at the time.” However, local residents and relatives were unaware of this justification. The strike, which hit a home and adjacent shop, disrupted a family’s Ramadan fast gathering. Locals reported that the event transpired on Wednesday evening, during which an extended family of three children—aged five, nine, and 14—were present.
Regional Impact of Israeli Campaign
Since the resumption of hostilities with Hezbollah nearly two weeks ago, Israeli forces have conducted over 800 strikes, primarily in southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the Dahieh district of Beirut. These areas are considered central to Hezbollah’s operations and the Shia Muslim community. Some attacks have also targeted Beirut’s core.
A local shepherd shared his account of the strike. He was at the shop earlier that evening, offering yogurt to the family. Upon hearing the explosion, he rushed to the scene and discovered the building in ruins, with body parts scattered along the road. “My kids and I were terrified,” he recounted, “the whole area was… I have no words to explain what I saw.”
“My daughter was friends with one of the children killed. She hasn’t eaten or drunk properly since then,” he said.
A Syrian woman, residing in a nearby tent, expressed her grief. She relied on the family for credit at their shop, hoping to settle the debt after the conflict. “They are decent and religious, but I don’t know why they were targeted,” she added, emphasizing their non-involvement in the war.
At the strike site, debris included cartons of yogurt, fizzy drinks, and children’s clothing. A framed photo of Iran’s first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, lay partially buried. Hassan al-Tahan, a school teacher, identified the property as belonging to his brother Ali Abbas, who was hosting an Iftar meal for relatives when the attack occurred.
“It was three families sharing an iftar together… we always gather like this, sitting at each other’s homes,” al-Tahan explained. “When I heard the sounds, I ran screaming and saw something I’d never seen before.”
Residents of Younine expressed strong support for Hezbollah, with photos of fighters and leaders displayed on nearby streets. Despite this, al-Tahan insisted his relatives were civilians. “We have no military items in the house,” he stated. “Israel attacked us because we are Shia. We belong to this community that’s resisting.”
“The Israelis claim they struck a Hezbollah facility. The Hezbollah facility turned out to be this civilian home. The Lebanese army confirmed there were no weapons here—only kids, women, and men who were martyred.”
The Lebanese health ministry classified all eight victims as civilians, aligning with local officials’ statements. The incident adds to the ongoing displacement crisis, with hundreds of thousands of residents forced from their homes due to Israeli evacuation orders.
