Israeli attacks kill dozens in days in Lebanon despite ceasefire

Beirut: Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed 20 people on Sunday, Lebanon's health ministry said, marking one of the deadliest few days there since a ceasefire began just over two weeks ago.

It brings to 77 the number of those killed since Thursday. Israel said it is targeting the armed Shia Islamist group Hezbollah. Two of the dead and 14 of the injured are children. On Monday, Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents in villages to move at least 1km from homes. The villages are all located outside the “yellow line”, a strip of Israeli-occupied territory extending 10km from Lebanese-Israeli border, where Israel said it continues to operate against threats, and which it regards as outside the terms of the ceasefire.

Israeli military maintained the agreement permits it to act against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks”. Lebanon dispute it and accuse Israel of repeated violations.

Hezbollah acknowledged carrying out attacks, including drone strikes on soldiers in Naqoura and rocket fire at troops in Qantara. It dubbed those attacks retaliation for bombardment of villages. Meanwhile, two people were killed on Monday in an Israeli airstrike on Shhour in Tyre.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israeli strikes targeted Debaal and Qana following prior warnings to residents. In the day, Israeli warplanes struck Zawtar al-Sharqiya in Nabatieh, while another airstrike hit Baraachit in Bint Jbeil. Mansouri in Tyre also came under artillery fire.

Overnight, Israeli forces carried out explosions in Khiam and Qantara, while drones remained active into the morning. The health ministry reported on Sunday the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has risen to 2,679, with 8,229 wounded.

Lebanon’s parliament speaker, the most senior Shia politician and a close ally of Hezbollah, Nabih Berri, who heads Hezbollah-allied Amal Movement said there could be no negotiations with Israel without a halt to the war despite a ceasefire.

–Agencies