Israeli Strikes Kill Three, Injure 23 in Lebanon

BEKAA: (News Desk) – Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon killed at least three people and wounded 23 others late Friday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, despite an existing truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

The ministry said five locations across the southern Tyr and Nabatieh districts, along with the eastern Bekaa region, were targeted. The reported death toll was later raised from two after officials confirmed another fatality in the south.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said two young men were killed while riding a motorcycle in Nabatieh. Rescue teams recovered their bodies and transported them to a nearby hospital.

The attacks also struck the area around the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge, which Israel says its forces have taken control of. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its presence there.

Israeli forces intensified strikes around Nabatieh on Friday and also targeted Rmadiyeh in the Tyr district, more than 10 kilometres from the Israeli border.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the Rmadiyeh strike killed one person and injured 15 others. The casualties included two children, three women and six rescue workers. A rescue service source said the attack hit a house in the village, which is also sheltering people displaced from other parts of southern Lebanon.

The latest violence comes despite efforts to maintain a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. The two sides have continued to exchange fire since March, when Hezbollah entered the wider regional conflict by launching attacks against Israel in support of Iran.

Israel responded with extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive. Lebanese authorities say more than 4,300 people have been killed since the conflict began.

Although fighting has eased following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding and a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon reached in June, Lebanese authorities continue to report Israeli military strikes.

UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza warned Friday that families returning to Nabatieh were facing extensive destruction, limited access to basic services and continuing insecurity.