Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two women, as confirmed by the Lebanese Health Ministry on Sunday. The strikes were conducted in response to alleged drone attacks by Hezbollah within areas occupied by Israeli forces. Despite a previous ceasefire brokered by the U.S. with Hezbollah in June, the Israeli military continues to operate in a designated security zone in southern Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, two men were killed in a town located on the perimeter of the Israeli-occupied zone, while the two women lost their lives in Arab Salim, a location situated well north of the occupied area. The Israeli military had issued an evacuation warning for areas near a building in Arab Salim, citing its use by Hezbollah. This warning preceded a strike that 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 such as a hospital and a Finance Ministry building. President Aoun held Israel responsible for the escalation and urged the international community to intervene and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The Israeli military stated that its targets included Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and a command center housed in a former hospital building. Precision munitions and aerial surveillance were employed to minimize civilian casualties during the operation. This recent evacuation warning marked the second issued since the ceasefire agreement in June.
In a separate incident on Friday, Israeli strikes without prior warnings resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 23 others in southern Lebanon, as reported by the Health Ministry. Hezbollah accused Israel of escalating tensions to pressure the Lebanese government, which has been engaged in talks with Israel under U.S. mediation — talks that Hezbollah has opposed.
Since March 2, over 4,300 individuals have lost their lives in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes following Hezbollah’s actions against Israel in support of Iran.
