BEIRUT, Lebanon: Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least five people, including two children, on Sunday, Lebanon’s health ministry said, despite a recently extended ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
The ministry said three people, including a child, were killed in strikes on the town of Tayr Felsay, while two others, including another child, died in Tayr Debba.
It added that at least 11 people were wounded in the attacks.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said one officer and three soldiers were injured overnight in an “explosive device detonation” in southern Lebanon.
The latest violence came as Israel issued new warnings to residents in several southern Lebanese towns.
An Israeli military spokesperson warned residents of Arzi, al-Marwaniyah, al-Babiliyah and al-Baysariyah to evacuate ahead of planned military action.
The strikes followed another deadly Israeli attack on Saturday in the southern town of Harouf, where Lebanon’s health ministry said six people, including three paramedics, were killed after a civil defence centre was hit.
The ministry said a fourth paramedic suffered critical injuries in the strike.
The Israeli military told the BBC it had “identified” and “eliminated” two Hezbollah fighters in Harouf.
The renewed attacks came despite a US-announced agreement on Friday extending a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon for another 45 days following talks in Washington.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Washington hoped the discussions would advance “lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border”.
Pigott said political negotiations would resume in June, while a separate security track involving military delegations from both countries would begin at the Pentagon on May 29.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter described the talks as “frank and constructive”.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Beirut hoped to mobilise international support to strengthen Lebanon’s position in negotiations with Israel.
Despite the truce announced by US President Donald Trump on April 16, Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire almost daily across Lebanon’s southern border.
Israel has intensified air strikes and artillery shelling in recent days, particularly in southern Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah fighters and military infrastructure.
Lebanon’s health ministry has accused Israel of targeting civilians and medical personnel.
The Israeli military says it is seeking to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to prevent future Hezbollah attacks.
Human rights organisations have accused Israel of destroying entire villages in the south in a manner similar to operations in Gaza, with some groups saying the attacks may amount to war crimes.
Hezbollah has also continued attacks using rockets and drones against Israeli troops in Lebanon and northern Israel.
