At least 12 people have been killed after a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted vehicles in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues despite an ongoing ceasefire.
Reports say Israeli drones struck three cars along the coastal highway in the Barja, Jiyeh, and Saadiyat areas, located about 20 kilometers south of Beirut. Eight people, including two children, were killed in those attacks.
Additional strikes reportedly hit four more vehicles in Sidon, Maaliyeh, Chaaitiyeh, and Naqoura, leading to more deaths.The Israeli military has not directly commented on the strikes but stated that its forces targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas of southern Lebanon. It also claimed Hezbollah launched drones toward Israeli troops operating in the region, though no casualties were reported from those attacks.
The violence comes just days after another deadly wave of strikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed 13 people, including two paramedics working with the country’s Civil Defence emergency service.Lebanese officials say more than 400 people have died since the ceasefire was announced nearly a month ago.
Israel has intensified air and artillery operations in recent days, saying it is targeting Hezbollah fighters and military sites.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued launching drone, rocket, and mortar attacks on Israeli forces and northern Israeli communities.Israeli and Lebanese officials are expected to hold another round of talks in Washington aimed at reducing tensions and ending the conflict.
However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem recently rejected calls to step back from the fighting, insisting the group would continue its operations.The conflict began in March following a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, which triggered retaliatory rocket fire from Hezbollah and a large-scale Israeli military response in Lebanon.
According to Lebanese authorities, nearly 2,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict escalated, while Israeli officials say 22 people, including civilians and soldiers, have died on the Israeli side.
