Wed Nov 20 01:26:36 UTC 2024: ## Israeli Air Strike Kills Three Lebanese Soldiers, Brings Military Death Toll to 41
**BEIRUT, Lebanon** – An Israeli air strike on a Lebanese army base in Sarafand, southern Lebanon, has killed three soldiers, bringing the total number of Lebanese military personnel killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 41, according to the Lebanese military. The attack, which occurred late Tuesday, also injured at least 17 civilians.
The Lebanese military confirmed the strike via social media, condemning the attack. The Ministry of Public Health reported the civilian injuries, adding to the overall grim toll of the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The ministry previously reported that 28 civilians died and 107 were injured in attacks across the country in the preceding 24 hours. The total death toll in Lebanon since October now stands at 3,544, with over 15,000 injured.
This latest incident follows a similar attack on Sunday that killed two Lebanese soldiers in Mari. The Israeli military has yet to comment on either attack. The Lebanese government announced plans to file a formal complaint with the UN Security Council, citing repeated Israeli violations of international law.
The escalating conflict has also impacted UN peacekeeping forces. On Tuesday, eight rockets struck the headquarters of the Italian UNIFIL contingent in Chama, while a rocket attack in nearby Ramyah injured four Ghanaian peacekeepers. Italy reported that five of its soldiers are under observation following the attack. Furthermore, Argentina announced its withdrawal from the UNIFIL mission, citing undisclosed reasons.
UNIFIL has previously reported unacceptable pressure from Israel, including demands to evacuate southern Lebanon. Over 20 peacekeepers have been injured, and several UN bases damaged in recent Israeli air strikes, some of which Israel has claimed were unintentional. Israel accuses UNIFIL of shielding Hezbollah fighters, a claim UNIFIL denies. The situation remains highly volatile.
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