Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Result in 71 Casualties, Important Dam Near Beirut Bombed

Xinhua News Agency, Beirut, May 26 (Reporter Shen Feng, Cao Changhao) According to news from the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the National News Agency on the 26th, Israel launched airstrikes on multiple locations in southern and eastern Lebanon that day, resulting in at least 31 deaths and 40 injuries. The Ghayloun Dam, located near the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, was hit by three airstrikes.

The Lebanese Litani River National Authority issued a statement saying that the Ghayloun Dam is an important civilian infrastructure related to Lebanon's water security, energy supply, and agricultural irrigation. Any direct or indirect attack on the dam and its associated facilities could pose catastrophic risks to residents and infrastructure in downstream areas.

On the same day, Hezbollah stated that it launched drones and rockets at Israeli military vehicles and troop assembly areas near the Lebanon-Israel border to counter the Israeli military's ground operations.

Earlier that day, Israeli media reported that in response to the drone threat from Hezbollah, the Israeli military had begun ground operations deep into Lebanese territory, crossing the so-called "Blue Line" established by the ceasefire agreement on April 17. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the military was occupying some "strategic locations."

The two sides began a 10-day temporary ceasefire on April 17, which has been extended multiple times. However, since the ceasefire took effect, the Israeli military has launched attacks citing Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire agreement and has dismantled and destroyed what it calls "Hezbollah military infrastructure" in the southern region of Lebanon it occupies.

Data released by the Lebanese Ministry of Health earlier on the 26th showed that since the resumption of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel on March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in 3,213 deaths and 9,737 injuries.