Israeli Strikes Kill 13 in Southern Lebanon

At least 13 people have died in Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry reported the casualties on Friday. Four women and a child were among those killed.

The deadly strikes hit the Nabatieh district. Haboush was one of the areas targeted. Eight people died there, including two women and a child. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had issued an evacuation order for the area. Four more people died in Zrarieh. Another person was killed in Ain Baal. In total, 32 people were injured on Friday.

These attacks happen despite a three-week ceasefire extension. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues. Hezbollah stated on Saturday it targeted Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military confirmed one soldier died on Thursday. This brings the total Israeli troop deaths since early March to 17. A previous 10-day pause in fighting started on April 16. This followed talks in Washington between Israel and Lebanon.

The United States has been involved in mediating these ceasefires. US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension on April 23. He stated the talks went well. The US aims to help Lebanon defend itself against Hezbollah. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed group. They were not part of the ceasefire agreement. However, they said they would respect it if Israel did.

The truce largely stopped strikes on Beirut. Yet, fighting persists in the south. Air raids and evacuations continue. On April 30, the US embassy in Beirut suggested a meeting. It was to be between Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This meeting could secure Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US would guarantee these guarantees.

Lebanon's President met with the US ambassador to Lebanon on Friday. The ambassador affirmed continued US support. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024. After that, Israel conducted near-daily attacks. These targeted what Israel called Hezbollah-linked sites. Following attacks on Iran in February, Hezbollah retaliated. They launched rockets and drones into Israel in March. Israel responded with air strikes on Lebanon. Israeli forces have occupied parts of southern Lebanon since March. They have destroyed villages. The Lebanese health ministry states 2,586 people have died in Lebanon since early March. This includes 103 health workers. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Two Israeli civilians have died from Hezbollah attacks.

On Saturday morning, the IDF reported around 50 strikes. These targeted Hezbollah headquarters and military buildings in southern Lebanon. The IDF also intercepted two aerial targets heading for Israel.