13 rescuers killed in Israeli bombing in Lebanese town of Baalbek

At least 13 rescuers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Duris in Lebanon's eastern Baalbek region on the night of 14 local time.

More than 20 rescuers were gathered in the town centre at the time of the attack, and all those killed in the bombing were staff and volunteers from emergency services, the Lebanese Civil Defence said.

It added that the bodies of the dead rescuers were found in the rubble of the bombing and that rescue efforts were ongoing.

Lebanon's Civil Defence said it deeply regretted the attack on rescuers, saying it would continue to respond to relief calls and continue its humanitarian mission, no matter how great the difficulties and sacrifices may be.

Israel, which is escalating its attacks into Lebanon's interior, says Hezbollah uses ambulances and medical facilities to transport and store weapons.

The Israeli military did not comment on the attack on the civil defense center in Baalbek.