Israel Conducts Airstrikes in Lebanon Ignoring Ceasefire, Two Killed

International Desk, PNN

Israel has launched new airstrikes in Syria–Lebanon border areas and southern Lebanon, effectively ignoring a U.S.-mediated ceasefire. The attacks have reportedly killed at least two people and injured around 19, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.

Israel claimed it targeted four crossing points along the Syria–Lebanon border, allegedly used for Hezbollah arms smuggling. The Israeli military also claimed to have targeted a key arms supplier of Hezbollah in Sidon, southern Lebanon.

However, Lebanon has described these attacks as direct aggression against civilians. President Joseph Aoun said in a statement, “By bombing populated villages and towns, Israel has once again chosen a path of deliberate aggression, putting the lives of ordinary people at direct risk.”

He added that the attacks show Israel is unwilling to comply with ceasefire agreements and international obligations.

According to state news agency reports, Israeli warplanes targeted several villages and towns in southern Lebanon, including Al-Kharaib, Al-Ansar, Qana, Kfouri, and Jarjou’. Earlier, the Israeli military had threatened strikes inside the country.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that at least 19 people were injured in an airstrike in Qana city. In addition, one person was killed in a car attack in Zaharani, Sidon, and another in a vehicle attack in Bajurieh, Tyre.

Eyewitnesses described seeing burned vehicles and scattered debris on the roads after the strikes. Rescue workers quickly took the injured to hospitals. Several journalists were reportedly injured while covering the attacks.

The Lebanese military said in a statement that targeting civilian homes violates the country’s sovereignty and directly contravenes the ceasefire agreement. They also noted that Israeli strikes disrupted plans to neutralize Hezbollah under the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected calls to surrender its weapons. Since the November 2024 ceasefire, over 350 people have reportedly been killed in Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, according to international news agencies.