Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Lebanon Amid Fragile Truce

At least 14 people were killed in southern Lebanon on Sunday as Israeli airstrikes intensified, marking the deadliest day since a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict took effect just over a week ago, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

The casualties included two women and two children, while another 37 people were reported injured. The escalation comes amid renewed accusations from both sides of violating the fragile truce, raising fears of a broader breakdown.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military was acting “vigorously” against Hezbollah, accusing the Iran-backed group of undermining the ceasefire. In response, Hezbollah warned it would continue to retaliate against what it described as repeated Israeli violations and ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory.

Despite the April 17 ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued strikes across southern Lebanon, even after the truce was extended by three weeks. Troops remain deployed within a self-declared “yellow line,” a strip of land up to 10 kilometres deep along the border, where residents have been told not to return.

Lebanese state media reported air raids across multiple مناطق in the south, including areas not covered by evacuation warnings. Heavy traffic was seen heading north as civilians fled intensified bombardment.

Israel’s military said it targeted rocket-launching units and weapons storage sites linked to Hezbollah, carrying out both air and artillery strikes. It also reported that one Israeli soldier was killed in combat and six others wounded, four of them seriously.

Hezbollah said its fighters had struck Israeli troops and positions in response to attacks on Lebanese villages, reiterating its stance that any breach of sovereignty would be met with force.

Evacuation orders were issued for residents in at least seven southern towns and villages. Shortly after, airstrikes hit locations including Kfar Tibnit and Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, where a mosque and another religious structure were reportedly destroyed.

Columns of smoke were seen rising over several المناطق, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa, following the strikes. Israel also said it intercepted three drones heading toward its territory.

Since the conflict escalated, Lebanon’s health ministry reports that more than 2,500 people have been killed and over 7,700 wounded.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon held a memorial in Beirut for an Indonesian peacekeeper who died after being wounded in an explosion last month. A preliminary UN investigation indicated that the blast was caused by an Israeli tank shell.