Lebanese rescue workers killed in Israeli strike

By Nathan Morley

At least 15 rescue workers from a civil defense team have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon.

The strike near Baalbek destroyed a building of the civil protection agency, linked to the Lebanese government and not associated with Hezbollah.

Israeli military aircraft targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday. Lebanese radio reported columns of black, acrid smoke rising from the suburbs.

Last September, the Israeli army intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon, accelerating the conflict with Hezbollah. Israel also launched a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon last month.

Elsewhere in the region, Human Rights Watch said the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza was so widespread that it amounted to a war crime.

The human rights group said the move would likely be permanent to make way for buffer zones and safety corridors.

Israel says it is not violating international law.