An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Ain Saadeh, located east of Beirut, claimed the lives of three individuals late Sunday, including a local official from a Christian political party. This incident intensifies internal divisions within Lebanon as the conflict with Hezbollah continues to broaden across the nation.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, the strike hit an apartment building in the predominantly Christian town situated in the hills east of the capital. The mayor of Ain Saadeh indicated that the victims were located on a floor beneath the strike's intended target.
The Lebanese Forces Party, a Christian political group known for its opposition to Hezbollah, confirmed that two of the deceased were Pierre Moawad, a party official, and his wife, Flavia.
Razi El Hage, a parliamentarian with the Lebanese Forces, expressed to Lebanese broadcaster MTV, "We are paying a heavy price for a war into which we have been dragged by the lawless organisation Hezbollah."
This recent strike occurs as Israel intensifies its military operations in Lebanon, a response to ongoing cross-border attacks initiated by Hezbollah. Lebanese officials report that over 1,460 people have lost their lives since the conflict escalated.
Israeli forces have expanded their air and ground actions, encompassing southern and eastern Lebanon and extending into parts of Beirut's southern suburbs, issuing evacuation orders for numerous areas. The military campaign has resulted in the displacement of more than a million people, a significant portion of whom belong to the Shi'ite Muslim community, the primary support base for Hezbollah.
While some residents in Christian areas have voiced concerns about Hezbollah fighters potentially using civilian areas for shelter, local officials also highlight worries about the potential for sectarian conflict to spread.
Christian lawmaker Nadim Gemayel, an outspoken critic of Hezbollah, had previously cautioned that Israeli strikes might inadvertently exacerbate tensions by forcing displaced Shi'ite populations into different parts of the country.
No evacuation warning was issued prior to Sunday's strike. Residents of Ain Saadeh reported that the apartment building that was hit appeared to be unoccupied.
Antoine Aalam, a 70-year-old resident living opposite the targeted building, stated, "I've been in my house for 20 years, I've never even seen this apartment lit. There's no one in it."
The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike, describing it as targeting a "terror target east of Beirut," but offered no additional specifics. They indicated that reports concerning civilian casualties were under review and did not comment on concerns regarding potential sectarian implications.
Earlier on Sunday, separate strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a teenage girl and two Sudanese migrant workers. Additionally, an attack in southern Lebanon claimed the lives of a married couple and injured their two children.
The ongoing escalation persists despite a ceasefire agreement established in 2024 between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israeli forces continuing operations in certain southern Lebanese territories. Lebanese officials have indicated that repeated appeals for a new truce have not yet yielded results.
President Joseph Aoun, in his initial televised address since the recent intensification of hostilities, stressed the critical importance of maintaining national unity.
"Our primary concern is preserving civil peace, which is a red line," he declared.
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