Warning – this article contains a graphic description of the aftermath of an explosion.
As Israel continues to attack targets connected to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the BBC visited the remains of a home where eight members of a family, including three children, were killed in a strike.
The yellow flag of the Iran-backed armed group was hanging on top of a pile of rubble in the northeastern town of Younine. There were children’s toys and packets of sweets among the debris.
The Israeli military told the BBC it had targeted “Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure while Hezbollah operatives were present”.
Neighbours and relatives at the scene said they had no knowledge of this.
The strike hit a home and shop on Wednesday evening as an extended family, including three children – aged five, nine and 14 – were gathering to break the Ramadan fast, locals said.
It is one of hundreds of strikes the Israeli military has carried out in Lebanon since the war with Hezbollah resumed almost two weeks ago.
Most have focused on southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut, known as the Dahieh – the heartlands of Hezbollah and of Lebanon’s Shia Muslim community. Some have also hit the centre of Beirut.
More than 800 people have been killed in Israel’s military action, according to figures from the Lebanese health ministry. They include 12 healthcare workers Lebanon’s public health ministry says were killed in a strike on a medical centre in on Friday night. The IDF said it was aware of reports of a strike and the incident was under review.
Hundreds of thousands more people have been forced from their homes by sweeping Israeli evacuation orders.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of embedding its military infrastructure in civilian areas.
In Younine on Saturday, locals recalled the moment of the strike, which they said came without any warning.
