Israeli air strikes in Lebanon result in 71 casualties; important dam in Lebanon is bombed nearby

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the national news agency, Israel launched air strikes on several areas in southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday (May 26), resulting in at least 31 deaths and 40 injuries. Three air strikes were carried out near the Ghaouran Dam in the Bekaa Valley in the eastern part of Lebanon.

Xinhua News Agency reported that the Lebanese National Authority of the Litani River issued a statement saying that the Qaraoun Dam is a crucial civilian infrastructure that is vital for Lebanon's water security, energy supply, and agricultural irrigation. Any direct or indirect attack on the dam and its affiliated facilities could pose a catastrophic risk to the residents and infrastructure in the downstream areas.

The Lebanese Hezbollah group said that it had launched drones and rockets towards the Israeli army's vehicle and troop assembly areas along the Lebanese-Israeli border, in an attempt to counter the Israeli ground offensive.

Earlier in the same day, Israeli media reported that in response to the threat from Hezbollah's drones in Lebanon, the Israeli army has begun to cross the "yellow line" delineated by the ceasefire agreement on April 17 and has launched ground operations into the deep interior of Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that night that the Israeli army is occupying some "strategic locations".

On April 17th, both sides of Lebanon agreed to a 10-day temporary ceasefire, which was later extended several times. However, since the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli army has launched attacks on Hezbollah for violating the ceasefire agreement, and has also demolished and destroyed "Hezbollah military infrastructure" in the southern part of Lebanon that was under Israeli occupation.

The data released by the Lebanese Ministry of Health earlier on the 26th showed that since the fighting resumed between Lebanon and Israel on March 2nd, Israel's attacks on Lebanon have resulted in 3,213 deaths and 9,737 injuries.