Israeli Air Strikes Kill at Least 10 in Southern Lebanon
Israeli air strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals in southern Lebanon, according to state media, amid ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah despite a ceasefire.
Overnight, six people were killed and seven others injured when a house in Kfar Dounine was struck, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Paramedics Killed During Emergency Response
On Tuesday afternoon, Lebanon's health ministry announced that two paramedics from the state-run Lebanese Civil Defense emergency service were killed and a third was injured in an Israeli strike on Nabatieh. The paramedics were conducting a mission in response to an earlier attack that had resulted in one fatality.
The Israeli military stated it was investigating the reports.
Official Reactions and Accusations
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed sorrow over the deaths of the two Civil Defence members in Nabatieh, identified as Hussein Jaber and Ahmad Noura. He emphasized that
"the continued Israeli aggression hinders efforts to restore calm"
The health ministry accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the paramedics, stating
"This targeting constitutes further evidence of the Israeli enemy's blatant violation of international humanitarian law and its full disregard for all international norms."
On Monday, the ministry reported that 108 emergency medical services and healthcare workers had been killed in Lebanon during the conflict, with over 140 Israeli attacks recorded against ambulances and medical facilities.
Additional Casualties and Military Actions
The NNA also reported that a Syrian man was killed and his wife wounded when an Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle they were riding on a road in the Tayr Debba area on Tuesday.
The Israeli military stated it struck a suspect fleeing after what it described as an unsuccessful attempt to launch a surface-to-air missile at one of its aircraft.
Hezbollah fighters reportedly launched explosive-laden drones towards Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon, though no casualties were reported.
Hezbollah claimed it targeted Israeli troops in Naqoura, Bayada, and Houla in southern Lebanon with drones, as well as a soldier in Kibbutz Manara in northern Israel.
Escalation of Conflict and Ceasefire Violations
The Israeli military has intensified strikes on southern Lebanon in recent days, targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. Israel accuses the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group of violating the US-brokered ceasefire deal agreed upon by Israeli and Lebanese governments in April.
In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched rocket and drone attacks on northern Israeli communities and Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon.
Diplomatic Efforts and Conflict Background
Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled to meet again in Washington on Thursday to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The conflict began on 2 March, two days after the US and Israel conducted a joint attack on Iran. Hezbollah responded by firing rockets into Israel, prompting widespread Israeli air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
Casualty Figures
According to the Lebanese health ministry, at least 2,869 people have died in Lebanon since the conflict began, including at least 380 since the ceasefire took effect. These figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Israeli authorities report 18 soldiers and four civilians killed during the same period.
