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Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed 14 people, including two children and two women, and wounded 37 others in southern Lebanon. The violence comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which both sides accuse of violating.
Evacuation warnings and military strikes
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued urgent evacuation orders for several villages in southern Lebanon earlier on Sunday, warning residents that remaining in the area would put their lives at risk. Hours later, the IDF confirmed conducting artillery and airstrikes targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure it claimed were being used to launch attacks against Israeli troops.
The IDF also reported that a 19-year-old soldier was killed and six others injured when a Hezbollah drone struck a military position in Lebanon. Separately, the IDF said its air force intercepted three Hezbollah drones en route to Israel before they crossed the border.
Ceasefire under strain
The semi-permanent truce, which took effect on April 16 and was extended by three weeks last Thursday, remains in place but has been repeatedly tested. Under the agreement, Israel retains the right to defend itself against imminent or ongoing attacks.
"The IDF is active and acting with force in Lebanon. Hezbollah's actions are eroding the ceasefire," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a government meeting. "We are operating decisively under the rules agreed upon with the United States-and with Lebanon as well. This includes not only responding to attacks but also preempting immediate threats and neutralizing emerging ones."
Escalation follows overnight attacks
Sunday's strikes followed an IDF operation overnight targeting Hezbollah military sites. The IDF accused the Iran-backed group of launching two explosive drones toward Israel. Both sides have exchanged fire since the ceasefire began, with each accusing the other of breaching the terms.
On Saturday, Netanyahu ordered the military to intensify strikes against Hezbollah targets, resulting in at least six deaths in southern Lebanon the same day.
Regional diplomacy continues
Amid the escalation, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to outline Tehran's framework for resuming peace talks with Washington. The visit follows last week's extension of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, initially set to expire on April 22, to allow negotiations to proceed.
Araghchi, who met with Pakistani mediators on Saturday, had been scheduled to continue his regional tour in Oman. However, the trip was disrupted after U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit by special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad.
The White House had suggested Iran was open to talks, but Tehran denied any direct negotiations were ever planned. Araghchi, who previously stated that Tehran was still assessing Washington's seriousness about diplomacy, is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.
