LEBANON – Israeli strikes on northern Lebanon and Gaza have killed dozens of people including several children, rescuers and officials say. The Lebanese health ministry said at least 23 people including seven children were killed on Sunday in Almat near Byblos, to the north of the capital Beirut. In northern Gaza, the civil defence agency said at least 30 people were killed in Israeli strikes on two houses in the besieged enclave.

The first strike early Sunday hit a house in Jabalia, killing “at least 25” people, including 13 children, and injuring more than 30, according to the agency. Another five people were killed in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City and some are still missing in the aftermath, the civil defence agency said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hezbollah had stored weapons at, and were operating from, the site it had targeted in Lebanon. It added “numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of aerial surveillance and precise intelligence”. The IDF said it struck a site in Jabalia where “terrorists were operating” and in the case of that strike as well, steps had been taken to mitigate civilian harm. The details of both incidents were under review, it said. The Lebanese health ministry said rescue workers were still searching the rubble after the strike in Almat. (BBC)…[+]