Lebanese mayor among 6 killed as Israeli air strike hits municipal building

Israel launched an air strike on Oct 16 on the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, a major town in south Lebanon, killing the mayor and at least five others.

The attack raised fears that Israel's expanding air campaign, designed to crush Iran-backed Hezbollah, could increasingly include public officials and buildings, which so far have been spared.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack on the provincial capital, saying it "intentionally targeted a meeting of the municipal council to discuss the city's service and relief situation".

It was the most significant Israeli hit yet on a Lebanese state building since Israel launched its offensive two weeks ago, and came despite US concerns about rising death tolls and fears of all-out war in the region.

The Health Ministry said six people had been killed, with the interior minister confirming the death of the mayor.

After Israel first issued an evacuation notice for Nabatieh, a city of tens of thousands of people, on Oct 3, a Reuters reporter called Mayor Ahmed Kahil to ask if he would leave. He said he would not.

The Israeli military said on Oct 16 it struck dozens of Hezbollah targets in the Nabatieh area and dismantled underground infrastructure, while its navy also hit dozens of targets in southern Lebanon, in cooperation with troops on the ground.

Israel is now battling Tehran's ally Hezbollah in south Lebanon and in the capital Beirut, and the Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza. It is also preparing to retaliate for an Iranian missile attack on Oct 1, following a similar large-scale operation in April.