Israeli Strikes Kill Nine, Including Two Children, in Southern Lebanon Despite Ceasefire
At least nine people, among them two children, were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, the Lebanese health ministry reported. Another 23 individuals, including eight children and seven women, sustained injuries. The Israeli military stated these strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
Separately, Hezbollah declared it had executed attacks on Israeli forces in the south, notably a drone strike targeting soldiers in the Bint Jbeil district.
This renewed violence transpires as Israel proceeds with military operations in Lebanon, notwithstanding the ceasefire announced on 16 April following direct discussions between Lebanese and Israeli envoys in Washington.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticised what he termed “continuing Israeli violations” of the truce. He cited ongoing strikes and the demolition of homes and places of worship “despite the ceasefire.” President Aoun urged international pressure on Israel “to ensure it respects international laws and conventions, and ceases targeting civilians, paramedics, civil defence and humanitarian organisations.”
On Thursday, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for 15 villages in southern Lebanon, some located beyond the “Yellow Line”—a roughly 10km strip from the border where Israel asserts it maintains operations against perceived threats.
Israel maintains its actions are a response to alleged violations of the agreement by Hezbollah. Although Hezbollah was not a signatory to the ceasefire, it had indicated compliance if Israel upheld its terms. The US-mediated ceasefire controversially permits Israel to respond to what it defines as “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks,” a provision Hezbollah rejects.
While the truce largely curtailed strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs, fighting has persisted elsewhere in the south, characterised by continued air raids and repeated evacuation orders. Lebanese officials contend this constitutes a pattern of violations, while Israel asserts its actions align with the agreement's terms.
The current conflict began on 2 March after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, prompting widespread Israeli air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. Since then, over 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 103 health professionals, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The ministry’s figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians but confirm at least 270 women and over 170 children are among the deceased. The Israeli military reported one soldier killed in southern Lebanon on Thursday, bringing its troop fatalities since early March to 17.