Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 11 people, including five women and two children, and wounded 24 others, the health ministry has said, as violations of a nearly two-week ceasefire continued.
The attacks on Thursday came shortly after President Joseph Aoun condemned ongoing Israeli attacks in the south despite the truce.
The Lebanese state media also reported a series of Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon on Thursday. Earlier in the day, an Israeli army spokesperson called for the evacuation of eight southern villages ahead of planned military action there.
Shortly after the ceasefire began on April 17, Israel declared a so-called “Yellow Line” — a strip of Lebanese territory about 10 kilometres deep along the border — where it has continued operations and demolitions.
Israel has pressed ahead with attacks as the fragile ceasefire, announced after direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington, approached its two-week mark.
Calls for pressure on Israel to halt targeting civilians
Speaking to a delegation from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Aoun slammed “continuing Israeli violations” in southern Lebanon.
He said demolitions of homes and places of worship were ongoing and that casualties were rising “day after day”.
“Pressure must be exerted on Israel to ensure it respects international laws and conventions and ceases targeting civilians, paramedics, civil defence, and humanitarian health and relief organisations,” he said.
The remarks came as three paramedics killed in Israeli strikes were buried. Aoun added that at least 17 medics from the Lebanese Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations have been killed so far, alongside journalists.
No access to Lebanese detainees
He also renewed calls for assistance in determining the fate of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons, saying Israel has refused to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to them.
Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,534 people, wounded 7,863, and displaced more than 1.6 million — roughly one-fifth of the population — according to official figures.
A 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17 was later extended until May 17, but Lebanese authorities say Israel continues daily violations through air strikes and home demolitions in the south.
