BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Ministry of Health on Saturday reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks has risen to 2,496 since the start of the conflict on March 2.
The ongoing violence has also triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis, with more than 120,000 displaced people now sheltering in evacuation centres across the country. Authorities say around 31,000 families are currently housed in these facilities.
Despite a ceasefire extension earlier this week in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, violence has persisted in parts of southern Lebanon.
On Saturday, Israeli strikes targeting a truck and a motorbike in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqeef, in the Nabatieh district, killed four people, the health ministry said in a statement.
The continued hostilities despite the ceasefire have risked further escalation along the border. International observers have urged restraint from all sides, warning that renewed violence could worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.
While Israel has previously stated that its operations are aimed at countering security threats, Lebanese officials have condemned the strikes, calling for greater international pressure to halt the attacks and protect civilians.
The situation remains tense, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to stabilise the region and prevent a broader conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “maintaining full freedom of action against any threat” and claimed Hezbollah was “trying to sabotage” the pause.
Separately, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that an Indonesian peacekeeper died in a hospital after sustaining injuries during an attack on March 29.
Initial findings from a UN investigation indicated that the soldier was killed by an Israeli tank shell. At the time of the incident, UNIFIL had reported one fatality and one injury among its personnel.
