Death toll rises to 41 after Israeli strikes and clashes in E. Lebanon

This photo taken on March 7, 2026 shows a damaged ambulance struck by Israeli airstrikes in the eastern Lebanese village of Nabi Chit. The death toll from Israeli airstrikes and clashes in the eastern Lebanese village of Nabi Chit rose to 41, with 40 others injured, Lebanon's authorities said Saturday. (Photo by Maher Kamar/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes and clashes in the eastern Lebanese village of Nabi Chit rose to 41, with 40 others injured, Lebanon's authorities said Saturday.

In a statement, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health said the casualties resulted from a series of Israeli strikes targeting Nabi Chit and surrounding towns in the Baalbek district.

Hezbollah said its members detected the helicopters on Friday evening and later exchanged fire with the advancing Israeli infantry force. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported that residents also joined Hezbollah members in confronting the force.

Israeli fighter jets and helicopters later carried out around 40 airstrikes on the village and surrounding areas, the NNA reported, adding that the strikes were aimed at securing the withdrawal of the Israeli infiltrating unit and preventing reinforcements from reaching the area.

The escalation follows rocket fire toward Israel launched from Lebanon early Monday by Hezbollah, the group's first such attack since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024.

Israel has since launched what it called an "offensive military campaign" against Hezbollah, combining heavy airstrikes with ground incursions along the border and evacuation warnings for areas south of the Litani River and Beirut's southern suburbs. ■

This photo taken on March 7, 2026 shows a site struck by Israeli airstrikes in the eastern Lebanese village of Nabi Chit. The death toll from Israeli airstrikes and clashes in the eastern Lebanese village of Nabi Chit rose to 41, with 40 others injured, Lebanon's authorities said Saturday. (Photo by Maher Kamar/Xinhua)