Israeli strikes level buildings across Lebanon

Israel's latest bombardment of Hezbollah targets caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon, ahead of U.S. and Israeli strikes in the wider region Thursday.

Israel's assault on Lebanon on Wednesday toppled buildings and killed a city mayor, hours before Israeli strikes were reported in Syria and Gaza.

The United States, meanwhile, said it hit Yemen with air strikes targeting weapon storage facilities of Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have repeatedly fired drones at Israel since the Gaza war erupted when its ally Hamas attacked Israel more than a year ago.

Washington has vowed to support Israel, despite growing international criticism over the civilian toll of Israel's fight against Tehran-allied militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon.

A rare Israeli strike Thursday on the Syrian port city of Latakia targeted a weapons depot, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

The Israeli military, which would not comment on the attack, accuses Hezbollah of ferrying weapons to Lebanon through neighboring Syria.

Israel ramped up its bombardment of Lebanon in late September and by the end of the month sent ground troops across the border.

The military said its warplanes struck dozens of Hezbollah targets Wednesday in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh, where Hezbollah and its ally Amal hold sway.

Lebanon's health ministry said 16 people were killed and 52 wounded in strikes on two municipal buildings. At least six people were killed in other strikes, according to officials and reports.

Local officials said that the Nabatiyeh mayor was among the dead.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Israel "deliberately targeted a meeting of the municipal council that was discussing the city's...