### Israeli Airstrike Kills Mayor and 15 Others in Southern Lebanon

In a significant escalation of violence, the Israeli military on Wednesday bombed the densely populated southern outskirts of Beirut and a city in southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people. According to Lebanese officials, the strike targeted a municipal building in Nabatieh, where local officials, including the city's mayor, Ahmad Kahil, were holding a meeting.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the attack on Nabatieh, stating that the strike appeared to "intentionally target" the local government meeting. Along with Mayor Kahil, several members of a local relief team that had been collaborating with the United Nations for over a year were also killed. The aftermath of the strike left at least 52 people wounded, according to reports from both U.N. and Lebanese officials.

Imran Riza, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, expressed outrage at the attack, noting that essential infrastructure such as health care facilities, mosques, historical markets, residential complexes, and now government buildings are being destroyed. Riza called for an end to the violence, emphasizing the severe impact on civilian life.

The Israeli military defended its actions by claiming it had targeted "dozens of Hezbollah terrorist targets" in the region. According to Israeli officials, the strikes aimed at command centers and weapons storage facilities, which they alleged were intentionally placed next to civilian infrastructure by Hezbollah militants.

This latest escalation highlights the volatile situation in the region, drawing international concern as the conflict continues to claim civilian lives and damage critical infrastructure.