at least 10 firefighters were killed during an Israeli airstrike on a municipal building in the southern Lebanese town of Baraachit late Sunday night, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The firefighters were reportedly preparing for rescue missions when the strike occurred, prompting widespread condemnation and further escalating the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Israeli military responded to the incident, stating that the strike was part of a “precise” operation targeting Hezbollah operatives who were allegedly using the fire station as a military post.

“We conducted airstrikes on 120 Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon within just one hour,” a military spokesperson stated, emphasizing their commitment to combating what they describe as terrorist threats.

The National News Agency of Lebanon reported that Israeli aircraft struck over 30 towns and villages around the coastal city of Tyre, intensifying fears of widespread devastation.

Eyewitness reports from Tyre indicated that the strikes hit both rural areas and densely populated neighborhoods, raising concerns about civilian casualties.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the targeted groups as belonging to three regional units of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, including the elite Radwan Force, the Missiles and Rockets Force, and the Intelligence Directorate.

In addition to the strikes in the south, the IDF confirmed a “targeted” attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where witnesses reported significant smoke rising from the area.

The conflict, which has now entered its third week, has resulted in more than 1,400 fatalities, including 22 reported deaths on Sunday alone.

The Lebanese authorities also revealed that approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities, as the violence shows no signs of abating.

Hezbollah, a powerful Shia Islamist organization in Lebanon, has remained defiant despite suffering heavy losses, including the deaths of its leader and several top commanders.

In a statement on Monday, the group expressed confidence in its ability to resist Israeli aggression, indicating that the conflict is far from over.

On the same day, Hezbollah launched a retaliatory strike, firing rockets into northern Israel, particularly targeting the port city of Haifa and the town of Tiberias, resulting in damage and nine reported injuries.

The IDF confirmed that another 135 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, causing damage to infrastructure in the Lower Galilee region.

Israeli officials have vowed to secure the safety of the thousands of displaced residents, emphasizing the necessity of counterattacks on what they describe as Iran’s “axis of evil.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a cabinet meeting that these operations are essential for ensuring Israel’s future security amidst rising tensions.

As the conflict continues to escalate, the humanitarian situation in southern Lebanon worsens, prompting urgent calls for international intervention and support for those affected by the violence.

The tragic loss of life among firefighters underscores the dire consequences of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the hostilities that have plagued the region for far too long.