Dozens Killed in Barja Strike Laid to Rest in Lebanon

On Thursday, dozens of Lebanese were buried following an Israeli airstrike that hit an apartment building in Barja, a town north of Sidon’s port city.

According to Lebanese Civil Defense, at least 30 bodies and remains were recovered after the strike, which took place late Tuesday. Many of those killed were from the Basma family, who had moved further into southern Lebanon seeking safety. Survivors either weren’t in the building at the time or have since found shelter elsewhere.

“My sister was killed last week, and now my brother, my nephew, and another nephew with his family,” said Hassan Basma.

Nearby, Khadija Daramsis, who performs ritual washing of the deceased before burial as per Islamic tradition, faced the tragic task of preparing her own nieces for burial. She had seen them just last week.

“They told me they were afraid of the strikes, and then they were hit,” Daramsis tearfully recounted. “What were they involved in? Were they part of the resistance or Hezbollah?”

Israel claims its airstrikes are directed at Hezbollah or its assets, though the strike on Barja reportedly came without any prior warning.

Khalil Basma remarked on the intensifying conflict, describing it as the worst he’s experienced in Lebanon. “With all the wars we’ve endured, this is, sadly, the first time we witness such acts,” he said. “May God protect everyone and bring an end to this crisis.”