One Palestinian was killed early Wednesday and three others wounded when Israeli naval forces targeted one of Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camps, Ein el-Hilweh, located outside the city of Sidon on Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast.
At least six others Lebanese were killed on Tuesday when the Israeli Air Force struck the southern Lebanese village of Ghaziyeh, southeast of Sidon, according to Haaretz. Others are still believed to be trapped beneath rubble.
Israel was reportedly targeting the homes of Sheikh Mustafa Khalifeh, a cleric linked to Hezbollah, eyewitnesses said. Most Hezbollah officials have left their homes and offices since the offensive began nearly a month ago.
Fifteen people died in the town on Monday in an earlier Israeli air strike. The town’s population has reportedly grown to some 23,000 people, many of whom had fled fighting in other areas.
Also on Wednesday, Israeli military sources reported that a total of five Israeli soldiers had been killed during the previous day, two in the southern Lebanon village of Bint Jbail overnight. Earlier on Tuesday, three other soldiers were reported dead and at least 23 wounded in heavy clashes with Hizbullah forces.
More than 100 Israeli dead as Israeli PM debates expansion of operations
Since the outbreak of fighting nearly one month ago, at least 689 Lebanese have been killed according to the country’s Health Ministry, including 605 civilians, 29 Lebanese soldiers and 55 Hizbullah fighters.
The number of Israelis killed as a result of Hizbullah rocket fire rose to 100 by Tuesday night, as Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert debated expanding Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon, a move that could result in many more casualties.
The proposal to broaden Israeli military operations will be presented to Israel’s diplomatic-security cabinet Wednesday morning for approval.
