Israeli forces target Lebanon's Doha Kfar Rumman with artillery fire

Israeli artillery struck the southern Lebanese village of Doha Kfar Rumman on Sunday morning, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). The shelling follows a series of earlier Israeli strikes in the region, which targeted a care home for the elderly in Hula, residential buildings, and open areas. These incidents mark an escalation in cross-border violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, raising concerns about further destabilization in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces launched artillery fire at Doha Kfar Rumman around 8:00 a.m. local time on Sunday. While initial reports did not indicate casualties, the attack follows a pattern of recent strikes that have targeted civilian infrastructure. On Saturday evening, Israeli forces conducted multiple airstrikes across southern Lebanon, including Hula, where a care home for the elderly was destroyed. The facility, known locally as Dar al-Amal, sustained severe damage, leaving its occupants displaced.

The Israeli military has not yet issued an official statement regarding the shelling. However, tensions have been high along the Israel-Lebanon border since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group and political party, has engaged in near-daily clashes with Israeli forces, exchanging rocket fire and artillery barrages. The group has stated that its attacks are in solidarity with Hamas and in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

Residents of southern Lebanon have expressed growing alarm over the escalating violence. Many have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas or across the country. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which monitors the border area, has called for restraint on both sides to prevent further civilian casualties. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti emphasized the need to protect civilians and avoid further destruction of critical infrastructure.

The Lebanese government has condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to a ceasefire but warned that continued aggression could lead to broader regional instability. International actors, including the United States and European Union, have urged de-escalation, emphasizing the risks of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Humanitarian organizations operating in southern Lebanon have raised concerns about the impact of the violence on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and displaced families. The destruction of the care home in Hula has drawn particular criticism, with aid groups calling for the protection of civilian facilities during military operations.

As the situation remains fluid, regional and international actors continue to monitor developments closely. The escalation in southern Lebanon underscores the fragile security environment in the region, with fears that further clashes could spiral into a full-blown crisis.

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