Israel demands Lebanon disarm Hezbollah
Photo: Ali Salem/AP/TT

Israel demands Lebanon disarm Hezbollah after deadly fighting in eastern Lebanon

Dozens of people have been killed in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese health authorities. Fighting reportedly broke out after an Israeli raid across the border. Israel's defense minister is calling on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah or "pay a heavy price."

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The 41 deaths were reported in the town of Nabi Chit and surrounding areas. Forty people were also reported to have been injured in the attacks.

Israel says it has struck Hezbollah military targets in southern and eastern Lebanon, including destroying weapons caches. Israel is also urging residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of upcoming attacks on Hezbollah's "military infrastructure."

170 targets

During the week, a total of 170 Hezbollah targets have been attacked in Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.

On Israeli television, the country's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, called on Lebanon to disarm the Shiite militia Hezbollah.

"If the choice is between protecting our civilians and the safety of our soldiers and Lebanon, then we will choose to defend our civilians and our soldiers, and the Lebanese government and Lebanon will pay a very high price," Katz said.

The number of refugees is increasing

Lebanon's Ministry of Health announced on Saturday evening that it has registered around 454,000 internally displaced persons since the war between Israel and Hezbollah broke out.

Haneen Sayed, the minister of social affairs, told a press conference that the number is based on people who have registered digitally with the authority. Among the refugees are 112,525 people who are in places provided by the government, AFP reports.

Fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah members reportedly took place overnight around Nabi Chit. Israeli special forces reportedly conducted an unsuccessful raid to find and recover the remains of an Israeli pilot who disappeared during a mission in 1986.

Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on Monday night, when Iran-ally Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, which quickly responded with an extensive bombardment.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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