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Seventeen people, including two children, died in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Thursday, the Lebanese health ministry reported, as hostilities persist despite a two-week-old ceasefire.
Casualties and strikes
The ministry stated that 35 others were injured in the attacks, among them nine children and eight women. Israel said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
In a separate incident, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli forces, including a drone strike in the Bint Jbeil district.
Ceasefire violations
The violence continues despite a truce brokered on 16 April following direct negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned what he called "continuing Israeli violations," accusing Israel of destroying homes and places of worship in defiance of the ceasefire.
"Pressure must be exerted on Israel to ensure it respects international laws and conventions, and ceases targeting civilians, paramedics, civil defence and humanitarian organisations,"
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
Evacuation orders and military claims
On Thursday, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for 15 villages in southern Lebanon, many located outside the so-called "Yellow Line"-a 10km (6-mile) buffer zone from the border where Israel claims it operates against threats.
Israel maintains its actions are in response to Hezbollah's alleged violations of the ceasefire. The Iran-backed group, which was not part of the truce agreement, had indicated it would respect the terms if Israel did the same.
Disputed interpretations of the truce
While the ceasefire largely halted strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs, fighting has continued in other parts of southern Lebanon, with ongoing air raids and evacuation orders.
Lebanese officials argue this constitutes a pattern of violations, while Israel insists it is acting within the agreement's terms. The U.S.-mediated truce allows Israel to respond to what it describes as "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks," a provision Hezbollah rejects.
Political divisions in Lebanon
The fragile truce has deepened political rifts in Beirut. President Aoun supports direct negotiations, advocating for the ceasefire to evolve into a "permanent agreement."
In contrast, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, opposes direct talks, warning of potential risks.
Conflict background and toll
The latest round of hostilities began on 2 March after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
Since then, the Lebanese health ministry reports over 2,500 deaths, including 103 health workers, at least 270 women, and more than 170 children. The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
The Israeli military confirmed one soldier was killed in combat on Thursday, raising its troop death toll since early March to 17.
