Israel intensifies strikes, hits Hezbollah command center inside Southern Lebanon mosque

This strike occurs amid escalating tensions in the region, as Hezbollah and other militant groups ramp up their activities in response to ongoing Israeli airstrikes and military operations.

The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it conducted an airstrike targeting Hezbollah fighters inside a mosque in southern Lebanon, marking the first such operation since clashes escalated between Israel and Hezbollah last year.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Air Force (IAF) revealed that the operation was coordinated under the guidance of IDF intelligence. "Overnight, the IAF struck Hezbollah terrorists operating within a command center located inside a mosque adjacent to the Salah Ghandour Hospital in southern Lebanon," the military stated. This command center was reportedly used by Hezbollah to plan and execute attacks against Israeli troops and the state of Israel.

The Salah Ghandour Hospital, which is affiliated with Hezbollah's Islamic Health Committee, reported that nine medical and nursing staff members were injured, most of them seriously. The hospital had received a warning from Israel to evacuate prior to the airstrike. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency confirmed that the grounds of the hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil were subjected to heavy shelling.

Hospital director Mohammed Sleiman told AFP that the facility sustained a direct hit and was subsequently evacuated.

This strike occurs amid escalating tensions in the region, as Hezbollah and other militant groups ramp up their activities in response to ongoing Israeli airstrikes and military operations. The humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon is worsening, with over 1,110 fatalities reported since clashes resumed on September 23.

(With inputs from agencies)