Israel kills Lebanese mayor in airstrike on southern municipal offices

An Israeli airstrike in Nabataea, southern Lebanon, has hit a local government building, killing at least five people, including the city’s mayor.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Mayor Ahmad Kaheil was one of the martyrs of the Israeli airstrike on the municipal building.

“Among others, the mayor of Nabataea… died a martyr. “It is a massacre,” Howaida Turk, governor of Nabatea, told AFP.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Israel specifically targeted a local council meeting where the city’s services and aid situation were discussed.

After the deadly attack, the Israeli army released a statement saying it had targeted several Hezbollah targets in the Nabataea area. However, no evidence was provided to support this claim, which has already been made in other attacks that killed large numbers of civilians.

Israeli warplanes also launched more than eight airstrikes on several surrounding towns, killing dozens of people and destroying property, according to local officials.

Rescue teams are still working to clear debris from the target area.