Israeli Strikes Intensify Lebanon Crisis

Recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of 16 people in Nabatieh, among them the city's mayor. This attack marks the largest on an official Lebanese state building since the conflict began and has been condemned by Lebanese officials as a shift in Israel's campaign from targeting Hezbollah to targeting the Lebanese state itself. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati accused Israel of intentionally targeting a municipal council meeting aimed at coordinating relief efforts for displaced residents. The ongoing conflict has also seen strikes in other areas, such as Qana, where 15 were killed, as Israel continues its offensive. The UN and other international bodies have called for a ceasefire, urging diplomatic solutions to address the humanitarian crisis.