Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals on Friday, while Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched rockets towards northern Israel causing no casualties. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that four people were killed and eight wounded in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Toura near Tyre. Additionally, a Lebanese Civil Defense paramedic was reportedly killed in another airstrike near the village of Kfar Chouba.
The Israeli army had earlier issued an evacuation warning to residents of six villages in Tyre province, including Toura. Following this, Hezbollah launched rockets towards northern Israel, with the Israeli military intercepting one rocket, while the rest landed in uninhabited areas.
Despite a ceasefire in place since April 17, incidents of violence have persisted, including an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli military claimed to have eliminated Ahmed Balout, identified as a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, along with two other militants. Hezbollah has not yet responded to these claims.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in discussions with a European Union delegation, urged European nations to pressure Israel to uphold the ceasefire and refrain from demolishing homes in villages under Israeli occupation. Aoun emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire to facilitate negotiations aimed at improving the current situation.
European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, expressed concerns over the situation, stating that both Hezbollah and Israel are adversely affecting Lebanon. Lahbib called for Hezbollah to cease attacks and disarm, while urging Israel to limit airstrikes targeting humanitarian facilities.
President Aoun also met with Simon Karam, the head of the Lebanese delegation for talks with Israel, with the meeting scheduled to take place in Washington next week. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on March 2, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel in response to actions against Iran, its primary supporter. Subsequently, Israel conducted numerous airstrikes and initiated a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
Lebanon and Israel engaged in direct talks, marking the first such interaction in over thirty years, as the two nations have been in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948. A 10-day ceasefire declared in Washington on April 17 was extended by three weeks.