Israel launches several strikes on east Lebanon

Over a quarter of Lebanon under Israeli evacuation orders, says UN refugee agency

- PHOTO: AFP

JERUSALEM - Israel's military launched several strikes on eastern Lebanon on Oct 15, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "mercilessly strike Hezbollah in all parts of Lebanon - including Beirut".

It comes as the UN refugee agency said on Oct 15 that Israel has issued military evacuation orders affecting over a quarter of Lebanon. The figures underscore the heavy price Lebanese are paying as Israel steps up its campaign to defeat Hezbollah and destroy its infrastructure in their one-year conflict.

Multiple Israeli air strikes hit the eastern Bekaa Valley, putting a hospital in Baalbek city out of service, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.

"It was a violent night in Baalbek, we have not witnessed a similar one since" the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, 50-year-old resident Nidal al-Solh told AFP.

Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah strongholds as well as other parts of Lebanon, including the northern Christian-majority village of Aito where at least 22 people were killed on Oct 14, according to the Health Ministry.

The United Nations on Oct 15 demanded a "prompt, independent and thorough investigation" into the strike.

Mr Anis Abla, civil defence chief in the southern border town of Marjayoun, said "our rescue missions are becoming more and more difficult, because the strikes are never-ending and target us".