At least 31 people were killed and 40 others injured in Israeli air raids across southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, the strikes targeted yesterday in several towns and villages amid escalating cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese health officials said the deadliest strike hit the Burj El Shemali area near the southern city of Tyre, where 14 people lost their lives, and 16 others were wounded.
In Kouthariyeh El Siyad, five people were killed and six injured. Four persons died and 10 others were hurt in Haboush. Six people were killed in Maarakah, while two others lost their lives in Sel’aa.
There has been no immediate official response from the Israeli military on the individual strikes. However, Israel has consistently maintained that its operations in southern Lebanon are aimed at Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued launching attacks into northern Israel, heightening fears of a wider regional conflict.
The latest escalation comes despite a ceasefire arrangement brokered by the United States on April 16th to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The initial 10-day truce was extended in late April, followed by another 45-day extension agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon on May 15th to allow more time for negotiations. However, continued exchanges of fire and repeated air strikes during the truce period have raised concerns that the fragile ceasefire could collapse into a broader regional conflict.
