Israeli airstrike on Lebanon's Nabatieh city kills five including mayor

At least five people, including the city mayor, have been killed in a major Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh. Missiles were fired at the city's municipality building and other government offices in the attack. Lebanon's Health Ministry said it is checking whether anyone is trapped alive under the rubble, reports Reuters.

Local authorities confirmed that Nabatieh Mayor Ahmad Kahil is among the deceased. Governor Howayda Turk described it as "a massacre." Mayor Kahil was inside the municipality building at the time of the attack. Rescue workers are reporting many more casualties.

The Israeli military (IDF) claimed it targeted "a number of Hezbollah military positions" in the Nabatieh area. The IDF said the air force struck military buildings, headquarters and weapons and ammunition depots. They alleged that Hezbollah established these positions near civilian buildings, using civilians as "human shields."

Israeli operations continue in southern Lebanon. Airstrikes against Hezbollah have intensified since September 23. Ground operations began a week later. At least 200 airstrikes were carried out within a 24-hour period. According to official accounts, at least 1,350 people have lost their lives in Lebanon since these operations began, although analysts fear the death toll could be higher.