Tears and defiance as Lebanese family bury child, 11, killed in Israeli strike

A solemn ceremony took place in a southern Lebanese village on Saturday, marking the burial of an 11-year-old boy and his uncle, who were killed in an Israeli air strike. Jawad Younes and his 41-year-old uncle, Ragheb Younes, were laid to rest in Saksakiyeh following the destruction of their family home the day prior. This incident adds to the growing toll of casualties in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that launched rocket attacks into Israel earlier this month amid the broader conflict between the US and Iran.

Lebanese health officials reported over 1,100 deaths since the escalation of hostilities, with civilians increasingly bearing the brunt of the violence. The Israeli military declined to confirm the target of the strike that hit the Younes family compound, leaving questions about the accuracy of their claim. Hundreds of mourners gathered in Saksakiyeh’s central square, their collective grief underscored by the sight of one body draped in Hezbollah’s yellow flag, symbolizing the group’s strong presence in the predominantly Shia region.

“My son is gentle and pure,” said Malak Meslmani, Jawad’s mother. “He loved the idea of martyrdom, and when he grew up, he wanted to be with the resistance. He wanted to resist the enemy Israel who killed him.”

Jawad’s father, Hussein Younes, recounted the moment of the attack, describing how his son had been playing football with nine cousins. As the funeral procession moved toward the burial site, distant Israeli air strikes continued to echo, with smoke rising from nearby hills. “I don’t know! I don’t know!” he cried, expressing frustration over the lack of clarity about the military’s intent. He emphasized that no armed personnel were present at the time, questioning the choice of targeting the family home.

Five individuals survived the strike, including Jawad’s aunt, Zeinab, who was hospitalized with spinal and leg injuries. “We didn’t see or hear anything before the blast,” she said from her hospital bed, her voice trembling. “Then I found myself under a pile of rubble.” Doctors expressed optimism about her recovery but noted the need for major surgery. Zeinab lamented the absence of prior warning, stating the family would have evacuated if alerted.

Just a day earlier, another family in the same neighborhood mourned the loss of two children and their mother in an Israeli bombing. This follows a wave of deadly attacks across southern Lebanon, intensifying the humanitarian crisis. On Saturday, the tragedy was compounded when three Lebanese journalists were killed in a targeted strike on their vehicle, according to their news outlets. Ali Shoeib, a prominent Al Manar TV correspondent, and reporters Fatima Ftouni and Mohamed Ftouni from Al Mayadeen were among the victims.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Shoeib’s death, labeling him a “terrorist” from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, who had operated as a journalist for years. However, the IDF provided no proof of his military role. The deaths of Fatima and Mohamed Ftouni remain unaddressed by the military. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike as a “brazen crime,” highlighting the violation of norms that protect journalists during conflict. The Committee to Protect Journalists has previously criticized Israel for killing media professionals without credible evidence of their militant ties.

Also on Saturday, an Israeli air strike killed five paramedics in Zoutar, raising concerns among human rights organizations about potential war crimes against healthcare workers. Since March 2, Israeli air strikes have devastated towns and villages across Lebanon, while ground forces push deeper into the south. Though Israel asserts its operations focus on Hezbollah, civilians remain frequent casualties, with the UN refugee agency warning of a worsening humanitarian disaster.