Israeli Air Strikes in Southern Lebanon Kill Two, Escalating Ceasefire Violations

The Israeli military has launched a series of air raids across southern Lebanon, killing at least two people in what Lebanon’s authorities are calling the latest breach of the ceasefire agreement reached with Hezbollah last year, as per Al Jazeera.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Thursday’s strikes targeted several areas, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Beit Lif, Ramia, al-Bisariya, Wadi al-Safa, and al-Sarira. Low-flying Israeli jets and drones were also reported in multiple southern regions.

One of the victims was identified as Mahmoud Hasan Atwi, a municipal worker killed in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Town mayor Zein Ali Ghandour said Atwi was operating a water well when an Israeli drone strike hit, calling the attack “a blatant aggression against civilians and state institutions.”

“We strongly condemn this violation of Lebanese sovereignty and urge the international community to intervene,” Ghandour added.

In a separate incident, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that another person was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the border town of Kfar Kila.

Israel claimed it had targeted a “Hezbollah operative” allegedly working to restore a military site used by the group. However, Lebanese officials say the victims were civilians performing their duties.

Earlier the same day, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the southern village of Beit Lif, injuring at least one person, local media reported.

Israel has conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah was signed in November 2024. The strikes have resulted in multiple civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, drawing growing criticism from Lebanese officials and rights groups.

Last week, Israel launched widespread air strikes in the region, stating that the operations were aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. It has also targeted farmland and residential areas near the border.

The Israeli military justifies its actions as enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River—approximately 30 kilometers from the border. However, Israel has expanded its operations beyond southern Lebanon, including multiple strikes on Beirut this year.

In early April, an Israeli strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) killed a senior Hezbollah official along with three others.