At least 12 people, including two children, four women, and a paramedic, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The escalation threatens a U.S.-brokered ceasefire reached in June, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun calling on the international community to intervene.
Deadly Airstrikes Devastate Residential Buildings in Kfar Kerman
A night-time airstrike in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kerman destroyed a three-story residential building, killing 11 people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Another paramedic was killed in a separate strike targeting a vehicle in the same town near the city of Nabatieh.
The Ministry reported that eight additional people sustained injuries in the building collapse, including three children and a paramedic. State media outlet National News Agency noted that the initial blast occurred shortly after midnight near the Shuweiyeh roundabout, reducing the structure to rubble.
Israeli Military Cites Hezbollah Drone Activity and Weapons Transit
The Israeli military stated that it targeted multiple Hezbollah infrastructure sites overnight alongside individuals observed transporting weapons. According to military officials, the operations served as a response to two explosive-laden drones launched toward Israeli forces stationed in the Ali al-Tاهر hill region.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the June ceasefire by rebuilding military capabilities, storing weapons, and establishing command centers inside civilian zones. Military representatives stated that operations aim to eliminate threats from Hezbollah, adding that reports concerning civilian casualties undergo internal review and investigation.
Did you know? The ongoing cross-border hostilities have claimed at least 4,362 lives in Lebanon since the broader escalation began following regional strikes, according to Ministry of Public Health statistics. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reports 40 soldiers and four civilians killed during the conflict.
Displacement Compounded by Pre-Dawn Evacuation Warnings
Residents in southern Lebanon face renewed displacement following weeks of relative calm. Sara Muallem, a 35-year-old resident of Kfar Kerman, told BBC that she sheltered with her five children in a designated safe room before planning to evacuate toward the coastal city of Sidon.
In nearby Deir Zahrani, the Israeli military issued a pre-dawn evacuation warning instructing residents to clear specific buildings ahead of scheduled strikes. Abbas Tufaili, the owner of a targeted home, told reporters that he fled with his family in their nightclothes mere minutes before the structure was hit, roughly 22 minutes after receiving an automated phone warning.
Ceasefire Stability Under Threat Amid Ongoing Demolition Operations
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun characterized the recent surge in violence as a serious escalation capable of unraveling the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. The June accord outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of the Lebanese Army, and the dismantling of Hezbollah infrastructure in southern regions.
According to Reuters, Israeli troops continue to demolish structures inside a self-declared security zone that extends up to ten kilometers deep into southern Lebanon. While Hezbollah has rejected linking the withdrawal timelines to disarmament demands, the group has not claimed credit for armed operations against Israel since the June ceasefire went into effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What triggered the latest escalation in southern Lebanon?
A: The Israeli military stated the latest operations responded to two explosive-laden drones launched toward its troops in the Ali al-Tاهر hill area.
Q: How many casualties have been reported in the recent strikes?
A: The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least 12 deaths from the latest wave of strikes, bringing the total death toll over a three-day span to at least 27 people.
Q: What is the status of the June ceasefire?
A: Lebanese officials warn that the ongoing airstrikes and military demolitions severely threaten the longevity of the U.S.-brokered June ceasefire agreement.
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