Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reports that 136 people have been killed in the last 24 hours due to ongoing Israeli bombings. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center also stated that, in addition to the fatalities, 359 individuals have been injured during this period.
Sunday’s airstrike on Ain el Delb in Saida resulted in 32 fatalities and 53 injuries, making it the deadliest strike of the day. In Tyre, 16 people were killed and 115 others injured, marking the highest number of injuries.
Another airstrike in Beirut’s Ghobeiry on Sunday resulted in three fatalities, while a strike in the Cola area today claimed four lives, including three leaders from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
In less than 24 hours, Israel targeted and killed 13 paramedics: six at the Islamic Health Organization center in Sohmor, Bekaa Valley; three at the IHO center in Houmine al-Fawqa; and four near the Islamic Mission Scouts center in Tayr Debba.
The UN Refugee Agency has described the situation for civilians affected by Israeli airstrikes as “dire,” with nearly 100,000 people fleeing from Lebanon to Syria. According to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, there may be close to one million internally displaced persons in Lebanon due to the ongoing attacks.
On September 29, Israel’s Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, stated that Hezbollah has suffered losses in weapons, operatives, and leadership due to Israeli strikes in Beirut. However, he emphasized that Israel must continue to target the group “hard.”
Hamas official killed in Southern Lebanon air raid
On Monday, September 30, Hamas announced the death of its leader in Lebanon, Fatah Sharif Abu al-Amine, who was killed in an airstrike in the southern part of the country.
According to a Hamas statement, he was targeted in his home in the Al-Bass camp. Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed that an air raid took place on the camp near the southern city of Tyre.
Naim Qassem asserts Hezbollah readiness for ground offensive
In Hezbollah’s first official statement following the assassination of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah last Friday, his deputy, Naim Qassem, emphasized Hezbollah’s ability to maintain, and even enhance, its operations despite recent losses.
Qassem noted that Nasrallah had outlined plans for replacing personnel and commanders. He refuted Israeli claims that a recent strike targeted a meeting of 20 Hezbollah commanders, denying that Israel had compromised the group’s military capabilities.
Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah would select a new Secretary-General at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the party’s established selection process.
He also stated that Hezbollah’s forces are prepared for ground engagement.
“If the Zionists enter Lebanon, we are prepared for a ground battle, and we will emerge victorious,” Sheikh Qassem declared.
Israeli army prepared for ground invasion when timing is right
Israeli troops are massing near the Lebanon border, with multiple deployments of military equipment and vehicles suggesting preparations for a ground invasion, according to Al Jazeera.
The army has stated that “nothing is off the table” and that pursuing a ground offensive remains an option when the time is right.
Last week, Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi addressed troops stationed along the northern border, stating that their boots will be in enemy territory. He suggested that the Israeli Air Force’s ongoing strikes on targets in southern Lebanon would support any ground invasion of Lebanese territory.
Israeli military officials have consistently expressed their goal of dismantling Hezbollah and its military capabilities, indicating that a ground invasion will be pursued if deemed necessary to achieve that objective.