Photo:Gonzalo Fuentes / Reuters

Israeli aircraft have carried out the largest air strike on a Lebanese government building since the start of their campaign, destroying the city hall of a major city in the south of the country and killing 16 people, including the mayor. The incident took place in the provincial capital of Nabatiyeh, Reuters reports .

Lebanese officials condemned the attack, saying it was proof that the Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah was now targeting Lebanese state institutions. Lebanon’s acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that Israel “deliberately planned” the air strike during a city council meeting to discuss the situation with providing assistance to citizens displaced by the fighting.

The United Nations Mission in Lebanon (UNMIK) also reported that an Israeli tank fired at their observation tower near the town of Kfar Kela, destroying part of the building. The Israeli military has not yet commented on these statements.

Israel continues its offensive against Hezbollah, which actively supports the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. In response to Hezbollah’s almost daily attacks, the Israeli army struck dozens of targets in southern Lebanon, including tunnels and other military facilities.

Despite the criticism and calls for negotiations, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the offensive against Hezbollah would not stop. The United States expressed support for “limited” military action aimed at destroying Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, while stressing the need to avoid civilian casualties.

Israel continues to escalate the conflict, which leads to increased tensions in the region and a growing number of casualties among both military and civilians.