Israeli airstrike in northeastern Lebanon wounds 3, local official says

Lebanese civil defence members search the rubble of a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Sarein, near Baalbek in east central Lebanon. (AFP file photo)
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Updated 24 March 2024
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Israeli airstrike in northeastern Lebanon wounds 3, local official says

  • Israel has killed over 31,000 Palestinians, more than 70 percent of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry

BEIRUT: An Israeli airstrike deep in northeastern Lebanon early Sunday wounded at least three people, a local official said.
The airstrike near the city of Baalbek, a stronghold of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group, was the latest to hit the area in recent weeks.
The strike occurred a few minutes after midnight and wounded three people according to Baalbek’s mayor, Bachir Khodr, who posted the news on X.
It was not immediately clear what was struck. The strike came hours after Hezbollah said it used two drones carrying explosives to attack an Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system in the northern Israeli town of Kfar Blum.
The Israeli military said warplanes attacked a workshop used by Hezbollah for military activities. It added that after the strike some 50 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israel, saying some were shot down and others fell in open areas.
A pair of Israeli airstrikes March 12 near Baalbek killed at least two people and wounded 20, marking a continuing escalation between Israel and Hezbollah over the war Israel is fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza.
Since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7, Hezbollah has been carrying out attacks on Israel’s military posts along the border. Israel has since staged dozens of airstrikes, mostly along the border. But since late February the Baalbek area has been attacked at least three times.

 


Jordan defends UN’s Palestine aid agency, calls for greater international support for its work

Updated 18 December 2025
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Jordan defends UN’s Palestine aid agency, calls for greater international support for its work

  • Members of parliament meet UN Relief and Works Agency’s director of affairs in Jordan, Olaf Becker, to discuss the work it does assisting Palestinian refugees
  • They condemn what they describe as the smear campaigns and Israeli legislation that have targeted the agency

AMMAN: Members of Jordan’s parliament on Thursday highlighted the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, and called for increased international support to sustain the services it provides.

Representatives from the parliament’s foreign affairs and Palestine committees met the agency’s director of affairs in Jordan, Olaf Becker, and the director general of the Jordanian Department of Palestinian Affairs, Rafiq Khirfan, to discuss the work it does assisting Palestinian refugees.

The chairs of the committees, Haitham Ziadin and Suleiman Saud, praised Jordan for its efforts under King Abdullah to defend Palestinian rights, halt Israeli military operations in Gaza, and advocate for a just and comprehensive resolution to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, the Jordan News Agency reported.

They called for greater international funding for UNRWA, and condemned what they described as smear campaigns and Israeli legislation that have targeted the agency.

The MPs welcomed the recent decision by the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee to renew the agency’s mandate until June 2029, and emphasized the need to protect essential services amid escalating humanitarian challenges. They stressed Jordan’s commitment to supporting the agency, and warned that political attacks against it could threaten regional stability.

Becker reaffirmed King Abdullah’s backing for the agency, and outlined its education, health and aid programs. He also noted the challenges it faces, including funding shortfalls and disinformation campaigns.

Khirfan said Jordan continues to defend the agency and its mandate through diplomatic efforts, led by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, to secure political and financial support.