BEIRUT, Lebanon: Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 14 people on Sunday, marking the deadliest day since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect earlier this month, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The ministry said the victims included two women and two children, with at least 37 others wounded, underscoring growing concerns over civilian casualties despite the truce.
Tensions have escalated as both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, though Israel has continued carrying out repeated strikes since the agreement began on April 17 and was later extended.
Civilian toll rises
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported strikes across multiple southern areas, including locations where evacuation warnings had been issued. Witnesses described heavy movement of civilians fleeing north following intensified bombardment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operations, stating the military was acting “vigorously” against Hezbollah targets, while asserting a right to respond to threats.
However, critics say the scale and frequency of Israeli strikes raise serious questions about adherence to the ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives.
“Hezbollah’s violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel retains “freedom of action not only to respond to attacks… but also to pre-empt immediate threats and even emerging threats.”
Hezbollah, in turn, said Israel’s “continued ceasefire violations… and above all its continued occupation of Lebanese territory and violations of its sovereignty will be met with a response.”
Lebanon’s health ministry reports that more than 2,500 people have been killed since the conflict began, highlighting the sustained human cost of the war.
