Israeli Strikes Kill 12 Lebanese Civilians in Southern Lebanon Car Attacks
At least 12 individuals have been killed in seven distinct Israeli air strikes targeting vehicles south of Beirut, Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed these fatalities, which occurred despite a ceasefire agreement purportedly in effect between Israel and Hezbollah.
Eight of the victims, including two children, died when drones struck three vehicles on the coastal highway in the Barja, Jiyeh, and Saadiyat areas, approximately 20km from the capital. The remaining four fatalities resulted from strikes on cars further south, in Sidon, Maaliyeh, Chaaitiyeh, and Naqoura.
While the Israeli military has not specifically commented on these incidents, it acknowledged conducting strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in several southern Lebanese locations. Hezbollah, in response, stated its fighters launched drones that detonated near Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon, though no casualties were reported.
This latest violence follows strikes earlier in the week that killed 13 people, including two paramedics from the state-run Civil Defence emergency service. The Lebanese health ministry reports over 400 deaths across the country since the ceasefire was announced nearly a month ago.
Israel has intensified its aerial and artillery bombardments, particularly in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. Hezbollah, in turn, has launched drone, rocket, and mortar attacks against Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon and against communities in northern Israel.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, including anticipated direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has dismissed these initiatives, stating his group will “not abandon the battlefield.” The conflict commenced on 2 March, following US and Israeli joint attacks on Iran, which led to Hezbollah's retaliatory rocket fire into Israel and subsequent widespread Israeli air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
Since 2 March, the Lebanese health ministry reports at least 2,896 people have been killed in Lebanon, a figure that does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israeli authorities state 18 soldiers and four civilians have died over the same period.
