Lebanon condemned a series of Israeli airstrikes in Nabatieh that killed the mayor and 15 others as they held a daily meeting on emergency relief over the intense bombing campaign, officials said. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Mayor Ahmad Kahil and his colleague were slain after Israel “deliberately targeted a meeting of the municipal council that was discussing the city’s services and relief situation.

An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday destroyed the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, a southern Lebanese town, killing Mayor Ahmed Kahil and five others. The group was meeting to coordinate aid efforts for those impacted by the ongoing conflict when the strike occurred. This marks a significant escalation in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah.