Two brothers were killed and several others wounded on Saturday in a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the country’s National News Agency (NNA) reported, marking one of the deadliest days since the fragile November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to the NNA, the first strike targeted a vehicle between the southeastern towns of Ain Ata and Shebaa, killing the two brothers instantly. Hours later, an Israeli drone attack near Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil injured seven people after two missiles struck a car in the densely populated neighborhood, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health Affairs said.
A third strike in the Baraachit area hit another vehicle, leaving casualties whose number remains unconfirmed. Photos published by local media showed smoke and flaming wreckage on a rural road following the attacks.
Israel’s military claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they were aimed at Hezbollah-linked targets, but did not provide evidence or details. Despite the truce reached a year ago, Israel has continued near-daily air raids on Lebanese territory, particularly in the south, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence.
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The Lebanese army accused Israel of attempting to “undermine Lebanon’s stability” and obstruct the deployment of national forces mandated under the ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah, in a brief statement, said it remains committed to the truce but would not disarm while Israel occupies Lebanese land and continues its military actions.
The European Union issued a strong condemnation of the latest attacks, calling for full respect of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which established the framework for the ceasefire. “The EU calls on Israel to cease all actions that violate resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement reached a year ago,” said Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for EU foreign affairs. “Hezbollah and other Lebanese groups must also refrain from any measures that could further inflame the situation.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the strikes as a “flagrant breach of international law,” urging the international community to intervene. Iran also condemned the attacks, describing them as “savage” and demanding a global response.
The latest assaults came two days after Israeli forces killed one person and injured nine in a separate series of strikes across southern Lebanon.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned that the continuing Israeli attacks threaten civilians and hamper the Lebanese army’s efforts to assert control over the region and curb “unauthorized weapons and infrastructure,” a phrase widely understood to reference Hezbollah.
Tensions remain high following Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024, an operation that decimated much of the group’s senior leadership.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in Gaza, recently warned that Israel could intensify its operations in Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz added, “Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify – we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.”