Israeli overnight strike kills 10 firefighters in south Lebanon

Lebanon's health ministry said on Monday that an Israeli strike in south Lebanon overnight killed 10 firefighters.

"An Israeli strike overnight targeted a local firefighting centre in Baraasheet where 10 civil defence members were present," municipal official Reda Ashour said.

The health ministry reported the "killing of 10 firefighters" who were "in the building ready to go out on rescue missions", adding efforts to remove the rubble were ongoing.

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The latest report brings to 115 the number of rescuers killed in a year since the start of cross-border fire between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Later in the day, Israeli Air Force said it waslaunching extensive strikes across southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions, as the country marked the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

"The IAF (air force) is currently conducting extensive strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in southern Lebanon," the army said in a statement.

Watch |Israel-Hamas War: Hamas Hails Oct 7 Attack On Anniversary

HRW issues statement

Human Rights Watchsaid Israeli strikes near the main Lebanon-Syria border crossing were putting civilians at "grave risk" as they prevented them from fleeing and hampered humanitarian operations.

Human Rights Watch said the strikes were "impeding civilians trying to flee and disrupting humanitarian operations", adding: "the situation places civilians at grave risk."

"An Israeli attack on a legitimate military target may still be unlawful if it can be expected to cause immediate civilian harm disproportionate to the anticipated military gain," it said in a statement.

If Hezbollah used the crossing to transfer weapons, the Iran-backed group too "may be failing to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians under their control", HRW added.

The Israeli military said it "struck an underground tunnel" crossing the border that "enables the transfer and storage of large quantities of weapons underground".

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