Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two women, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The strikes were a response to alleged drone attacks by Hezbollah within areas occupied by Israeli forces. Despite a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. with Hezbollah in June, the Israeli military is active in a designated security zone in southern Lebanon.
The Health Ministry reported that two men were killed in a town on the outskirts of the Israeli-occupied area, while the two women were killed in Arab Salim, located north of the occupied zone. Prior to the strike on a building in Arab Salim, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning, targeting a structure reportedly utilized by Hezbollah. The strike resulted in injuries to six individuals, including two girls.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office condemned the strikes, labeling them as a “dangerous escalation” that targeted civilian establishments, including a hospital and a Finance Ministry building. President Aoun held Israel accountable for the escalation and called on the U.S. and the international community to intervene and hold the perpetrators responsible.
The Israeli military stated that their targets included Hezbollah weapons storage sites and a command center within a former hospital building. They emphasized the use of precision weapons and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian casualties. Sunday’s evacuation warning marked the second since the ceasefire announcement in June.
Hezbollah accused Israel of escalating tensions to pressure the Lebanese government, which has been in discussions with Israel under U.S. mediation—an initiative rejected by the Iran-backed group. Since March 2, over 4,300 individuals have lost their lives in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes following Hezbollah’s actions in support of Iran.