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Updated 13 May 2026 - Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple vehicles south of Beirut on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people, Lebanon's health ministry reported. The attacks occurred amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah despite a month-old ceasefire announcement.
Strikes hit coastal highway and southern towns
Eight fatalities, including two children, resulted from drone strikes on three cars along the coastal highway near Barja, Jiyeh, and Saadiyat, approximately 20 kilometers south of Beirut. Four additional deaths were recorded in attacks on vehicles in Sidon, Maaliyeh, Chaaitiyeh, and Naqoura, according to ministry officials.
Israel targets Hezbollah infrastructure
The Israeli military has not commented on the latest strikes but confirmed earlier that its forces had hit Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The statement also noted that Hezbollah drones exploded near Israeli troop positions in southern Lebanon, though no casualties were reported.
Escalation despite ceasefire efforts
Tensions have persisted since U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire nearly a month ago. Lebanon's health ministry reported over 400 deaths in the country since then, while Israeli authorities cited 18 soldiers and four civilians killed during the same period. The ministry's figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Israel has ramped up airstrikes and artillery fire in recent days, particularly in southern Lebanon, citing Hezbollah's presence and infrastructure as targets. Hezbollah, in turn, has launched drones, rockets, and mortars at Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon and communities in northern Israel.
Diplomatic efforts continue
Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled to meet in Washington on Thursday for a third round of direct talks aimed at halting the violence. However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed these efforts in a letter released Tuesday, stating the group would "not abandon the battlefield."
Conflict origins and casualties
The hostilities began on 2 March, two days after a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran. Hezbollah responded with rocket attacks into Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. Since then, Lebanon's health ministry has recorded at least 2,896 deaths in the country.
"The situation remains volatile, and the humanitarian impact is severe," a health ministry spokesperson said.
