Lebanon’s public university, the Lebanese University, announced on Tuesday that it would postpone some examinations following the deaths of two students and their father in an Israeli drone strike. The victims were returning to their home in southern Lebanon after sitting exams on Monday.
Details of the Attack
The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that a dentist from the border village of Qlayaa was killed along with his son and daughter when an Israeli drone targeted their car on the Nabatieh-Khardali road. Father Antonios Farah, a priest for the Qlayaa parish, confirmed that the man had traveled with his two children, both in their early 20s, to the university for their examinations earlier that day. On their return journey, the Israeli drone struck their vehicle.
Father Antonios expressed his grief, stating, "We don’t understand why this happened." He noted that a bible and prayer book were found in the heavily damaged car. The priest added, "He’s a dentist and his children are university students... this is extremely sad news for the village, everyone is suffering."
University Response
The Lebanese University mourned the loss of the two students in an Israeli attack targeting civilians on the Khardali road. In a statement on X, the institution said it had lost a large number of its students, lecturers, and employees during the Israeli aggression. The university affirmed that the safety of the university community remains the highest priority.
As a result, the university announced the postponement of exams on its main campus in Beirut’s southern suburbs and in the southern city of Sidon until next week, citing the current developments.
Broader Conflict
The NNA reported Israeli airstrikes on dozens of locations in southern Lebanon on Monday. Lebanon’s health ministry stated that Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,433 people and wounded 10,395 others since the latest war with Hezbollah erupted on March 2. The conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians, including students and medical professionals.
