Rescue teams search rubble in southern Lebanon after deadly strikes in Tyre province
Rescue workers in southern Lebanon continued searching through collapsed buildings on Wednesday after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 people in villages across Tyre province, according to Lebanese health officials.
Emergency crews, assisted by bulldozers, combed through piles of shattered concrete and twisted metal in the villages of Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Al-Maashouq as families searched for missing relatives beneath the rubble.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the victims included four women and three children, while several others were injured in the attacks.
In Deir Qanoun al Nahr, an airstrike destroyed a residential home and damaged nearby vehicles, leaving clothing, furniture, and personal belongings scattered across the debris-filled streets.
Footage and images from Al-Maashouq showed extensive destruction to homes and a local mosque, highlighting the scale of damage caused by the strikes.
The attacks occurred just days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was extended by 45 days amid renewed tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Despite the extension, cross-border violence has continued, raising fears that the fragile truce could collapse entirely.
The Israeli military said it had targeted more than 25 Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon between Monday and Tuesday, describing the operations as efforts to prevent attacks on Israeli troops and border communities.
Israeli officials accuse Hezbollah of continuing to launch drone and rocket attacks despite the ceasefire arrangement.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, has resisted increasing pressure from Lebanese authorities and international actors to disarm, arguing that its armed presence remains necessary against Israel.
The conflict has already caused a severe humanitarian crisis inside Lebanon.
According to aid agencies and local officials, more than one million people have been displaced since hostilities intensified, forcing many families to seek shelter along roadsides, public spaces, and coastal areas near Beirut.
Temporary shelters and overcrowded accommodations have struggled to cope with the growing number of displaced civilians.
Israel also confirmed that one Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon on Tuesday during ongoing military operations.
The latest violence adds to months of instability along the border, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have repeatedly threatened to ignite a wider regional conflict.
International mediators, including the United States and European allies, have continued diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving the ceasefire and preventing further escalation.
However, recurring strikes, civilian casualties, and retaliatory attacks have complicated attempts to stabilize the situation.
Residents in affected Lebanese villages described scenes of fear and devastation as emergency workers continued digging through destroyed buildings in search of survivors.
Many families remain uncertain whether relatives trapped beneath the rubble are still alive.
The destruction in Tyre province has intensified concerns over the worsening humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly in southern Lebanon where repeated bombardments have damaged homes, infrastructure, and public facilities.
As rescue operations continue, aid groups warn that further escalation could deepen displacement and place additional strain on Lebanon’s already fragile economy and healthcare system.
