Israeli strikes on Kfar Rumman kill at least 13, including six children

Kfar Rumman, Lebanon. Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Rumman killed at least 13 people on Monday, including six children, Lebanon’s health ministry said. The attacks were among the deadliest days of Israeli bombardment in recent weeks.

Residential building struck

The health ministry said 12 people, including six children and three women, were killed when a residential building was struck. Lebanese state media had earlier reported that the attack occurred after midnight.

A woman who said she was related to at least three of those killed said the building was hit as children were preparing for school. Reuters reporters at the site saw children’s schoolbooks among concrete debris, while rescue workers used heavy machinery throughout the morning to recover bodies from the rubble.

The Israeli military said it had struck people seen transferring weapons in the area of Kfar Rumman.

Family losses and hospital treatment

Local residents said eight-year-old Mustafa Farhat lost his mother and grandparents in the strike. Rescue workers were still searching for his father’s body on Monday morning, while Mustafa was receiving treatment in hospital for injuries, they said.

His relative, Mona Farhat, told Reuters that the family home had been hit shortly before school time.

“What did they target? What is the goal they are targeting? Do they want us to leave our land? They are mistaken,” Farhat said at the hospital.

Separate drone strike

In a separate Israeli drone strike on a civilian vehicle in Kfar Rumman, one medic was killed and two other medics were wounded, the health ministry said.

The strikes took place without an online evacuation warning from the Israeli military. Fears of a renewed Israeli military campaign have grown in Lebanon following days of escalating strikes despite a June ceasefire intended to halt fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.