In Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon, hundreds gathered for the funeral of Jawad Younes and his uncle, killed in an Israeli strike amid ongoing hostilities.
In Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon, a funeral was held on Saturday for 11-year-old Jawad Younes and his 41-year-old uncle, Ragheb Younes, who died in an Israeli air strike on their family compound the previous day. The strike occurred around 13:00 local time on Friday, with Jawad playing football with cousins at the time, according to family accounts.
Family members, including Jawad's mother, Malak Meslmani, expressed grief and defiance, stating that Jawad aspired to join the resistance against Israel. She described him as gentle and pure, noting his desire for martyrdom amid the conflict.
The Funeral and Community Response
Hundreds attended the funeral in the town center, where women in black robes wailed over the bodies, one draped in a Hezbollah flag, reflecting local support for the group. Jawad's father, Hussein Younes, denied any military involvement by the family, questioning the strike's target and emphasizing that children were present.
The Israeli military did not respond to requests for comment on the strike. Lebanese health officials reported that over 1,100 people have been killed since the escalation began, with civilians increasingly affected by the crossfire in Israel's offensive against Hezbollah.
Related incidents included another family's burial of two children and their mother from a separate Israeli bombardment on Friday. On the same day, three Lebanese journalists were killed in a strike on their vehicle, which Lebanese authorities called targeted, though Israel alleged one was a Hezbollah member without evidence.
Broader Conflict and Humanitarian Impact
An Israeli air strike on Saturday also killed five paramedics in Zoutar, drawing condemnation from human rights groups as potential war crimes. The UN's refugee agency warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with over one million people displaced due to the violence.
Survivors from the Younes family, including Jawad's aunt Zeinab, who sustained injuries, stated there was no warning before the strike and affirmed their resolve to endure the conflict. Both Israel and Hezbollah have vowed to continue fighting despite the rising casualties.
