At least five people were killed on Friday in Israeli airstrikes targeting several towns in southern Lebanon in a brazen violation of the US-mediated ceasefire that has been in effect since April 17, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA.
Four people were killed in an Israeli strike on a building in the town of Abbasiyeh near the southern city of Tyre, while another person was killed in a separate airstrike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, the news agency reported.
Israeli warplanes also targeted a house in the town of Harayib, leaving several people injured.
Israel carried out more airstrikes that hit the towns of Gandouriyeh, Frun, Harayib, and Mansouri in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli drone strike on the town of Majdal Zoun near Tyre also caused injuries, according to NNA.
In Nabatieh province, Israeli warplanes targeted a building in the town of Habboush, destroying the structure.
Throughout the day, a low-flying Israeli drone was spotted over Beirut, Lebanon’s capital.
Another drone strike targeted a motorcycle traveling on the Tyre-Abbasiyeh road, leaving several people injured.
Earlier Friday, a Lebanese police officer was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the town of Aba in Nabatieh province.
Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon, despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was extended for 45 days beginning, May 17 following indirect talks mediated by the United States.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3 324 people across the country.
The escalation comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 25 that he had instructed the military to intensify operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks against Israeli forces, saying it is responding to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Friday that Netanyahu is prolonging wars in Gaza and Lebanon to serve his political and personal interests.
“It’s impossible not to suspect that the bloodshed is meant to serve the prime minister’s political and personal goals,” the newspaper said in an editorial.
Haaretz argued that Netanyahu is reigniting the wars in Gaza and Lebanon following what it described as the failure of the war with Iran and its halt by US President Donald Trump.
The newspaper pointed to developments in southern Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands of residents were ordered to leave areas south of the Zahrani River after the Israeli military declared the area a combat zone and announced plans to intensify operations against Hezbollah.
It said recent developments, including assassinations in Beirut, signal a severe escalation and suggest an attempt to draw Hezbollah into an all-out war with Israel.
The editorial also highlighted Netanyahu’s announcement that he had instructed the military to expand Israel’s control in Gaza from 60% to 70% of the territory. – AA
