At least six people, including a child, have died in southern Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes, as reported by the Lebanese state news agency. This escalation comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on numerous "terrorist" targets in response to rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel on Saturday morning.
The violence marks the most intense exchange since a ceasefire was brokered by the U.S. between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah last November. The Israeli military reported intercepting three rockets launched from a Lebanese area near the border, specifically targeting the Israeli town of Metula. This incident is the second occurrence of rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel since December.
Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the rocket attacks and claims it remains committed to the ceasefire. No group has officially claimed responsibility for the recent rocket launches. The renewed violence raises concerns about the stability of the fragile ceasefire.
According to health officials cited by the Lebanese state news agency NNA, airstrikes in the southern village of Touline and the coastal city of Tyre have resulted in six fatalities and injured at least 18 others, including two children. The Reuters news agency also reported two additional deaths in Bint Jbeil.
Israeli strikes have targeted various locations in southern Lebanon, including border towns and areas several miles inside Lebanese territory. This military action follows Israel’s announcement of intensified operations in Gaza aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated significantly after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Since then, Hezbollah has been actively launching rockets and drones into Israel. The situation has led to thousands of casualties in Lebanon and the displacement of around 60,000 Israelis.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged the military to take necessary actions but expressed a desire to avoid a return to war. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has expressed alarm over the potential for further violence and has called on all parties to maintain peace and stability in the region.