Several people have reportedly been killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, less than 24 hours after a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced.
According to Lebanon’s state news agency, at least 11 people were killed after Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery struck more than a dozen locations, many of them near the city of Nabatieh.
The Israeli military said the attacks targeted Hezbollah positions after the group allegedly fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon.
The latest violence comes despite efforts to enforce a ceasefire aimed at reducing tensions in the region. Lebanon became involved in the wider US-Iran conflict after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in March following a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader.
The United States has expressed concern that continued fighting could undermine a broader peace agreement involving Iran, which includes commitments to end hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.
Images and videos circulating from southern Lebanon showed large plumes of smoke rising from several areas following the reported strikes.
Senior Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah said the group reserved the right to respond to Israeli attacks while calling for full adherence to the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to face domestic pressure to maintain military operations against Hezbollah, while the group has warned it will continue attacks if Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon.
The conflict has displaced around one million people, with numerous communities in southern Lebanon suffering extensive destruction as fighting continues to impact the region.
