Israeli Airstrike in Lebanese Town of Barja Leaves 30 Dead Amid Escalating Mideast Tensions

Barja, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanese rescuers recovered 30 bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in Barja, a small town north of Sidon, after a late-night airstrike by Israeli forces. The strike, which came without warning, has left local residents shaken and searching for loved ones as the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict intensifies.

Lebanon’s Civil Defense service reported Wednesday that teams are continuing to search for possible survivors or additional bodies under the debris, though the scope of the devastation has made their task challenging. The intended target of the strike remains unclear, and the Israeli military has yet to issue a statement.

Barja has largely remained untouched by the conflict, making the strike particularly shocking for residents. Moussa Zahran, who was at home with his wife and son during the attack, recounted the moments of terror when the explosion hit. “Something pulled me hard, and then the explosion happened,” he said. He managed to dig through the rubble to find his wife and son, both injured but alive. They are currently hospitalized.

This tragedy in Barja underscores the worsening humanitarian toll of the current Middle East conflict, which has increasingly targeted civilian areas. With tensions showing no signs of easing, both Lebanon and Israel are bracing for more potential violence in the days ahead.