Israel Launches Airstrikes on Baalbek, Lebanon

Israel has conducted heavy airstrikes on the historic city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, following an evacuation order issued to residents earlier in the day. The strikes targeted the city, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Roman ruins, causing panic and leading thousands to flee. Reports indicate that the evacuation warning, unprecedented in this conflict, was prompted by escalating tensions amid ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah. Concurrently, U.S. mediators are working on a proposed 60-day ceasefire to halt violence between Israel and Hezbollah, which includes discussions on Hezbollah's withdrawal from strategic areas. The situation in Baalbek reflects a broader scale of Israeli military operations, which have previously resulted in significant casualties across Lebanon. As the conflict intensifies, international calls for a humanitarian response continue, with rising concerns about the humanitarian impact on civilians.