Hezbollah fighters at the funeral of Ibrahim Aqil, head of the elite Radwan Force, killed by an Israeli strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Sept. 22, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Just over a month after the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on Nov. 27, the human toll of nearly 14 months of hostilities on Lebanese soil remains shrouded in ambiguity. In addition to the 36 civilians killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since that date, the country continues to uncover casualties as debris-clearing operations in bombed areas reveal previously unaccounted-for bodies buried under the rubble.While estimating the number of civilian victims proved challenging – despite inquiries made by L'Orient-Le Jour to the relevant authorities – determining the military losses is equally complex. "No comment," was the response from Hezbollah's press office when asked for an estimate of the party's casualties. Since Israel's aerial offensive began on Sept. 23, the party's...
Just over a month after the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on Nov. 27, the human toll of nearly 14 months of hostilities on Lebanese soil remains shrouded in ambiguity. In addition to the 36 civilians killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since that date, the country continues to uncover casualties as debris-clearing operations in bombed areas reveal previously unaccounted-for bodies buried under the rubble.While estimating the number of civilian victims proved challenging – despite inquiries made by L'Orient-Le Jour to the relevant authorities – determining the military losses is equally complex. "No comment," was the response from Hezbollah's press office when asked for an estimate of the party's casualties. Since Israel's aerial offensive began on Sept. 23, the...