JOHN YDSTIE, host: This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm John Ydstie.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: And I'm Renee Montagne. We have a brief update now on the fighting in the Middle East.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: There have been more civilian casualties in southern Lebanon. Five members of a single household were among the latest victims. Israel was targeting a Hezbollah company's offices. The death toll in Lebanon has now passed 240.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Meanwhile, Americans trying to leave Lebanon have started boarding a cruise ship in Beirut. More than 1,000 Americans are expected to depart today. Europeans have been evacuating by the thousands for days, but only a few hundred Americans have managed to get out so far.
There have been more civilian casualties in southern Lebanon. Five members of a single household were among the latest victims. Israel was targeting a Hezbollah company's offices when the civilians were killed. The death toll in Lebanon has now passed 240.