The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has already started crumbling, with fresh Israeli airstrikes killing at least 20 people across southern Lebanon on Saturday. The attacks came just one day after a truce agreement took effect, raising serious doubts about whether peace can actually take root in the region.
Israel says the strikes were a direct response to projectiles launched by Hezbollah overnight. According to an Israeli military official, the Iran-backed group fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. That prompted Israel to hit what it called "Hezbollah targets" in various locations.
Lebanon's state news agency reported that Israeli warplanes and drones bombed several areas in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. The violence has left many Lebanese families grieving and fearful about what comes next.
Hezbollah Warns of Response
Hezbollah has now accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations and warned that continued attacks "will not pass without a response." The group is urging Washington to step in and pressure Israel to stop its military operations.
Meanwhile, an Israeli military official insisted that troops are operating defensively within what Israel calls a security zone. The official said five Israeli soldiers have been killed by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon over the past 48 hours, a significant loss that has hardened Israel's resolve.
The Israeli military, which occupies parts of southern Lebanon, says Hezbollah's attacks are repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement. Still, it maintains that it remains committed to the truce in line with political directives but will respond decisively to any attacks on Israeli civilians or troops.
Both Sides Dig In
For its part, Hezbollah says it also remains committed to the ceasefire but will not allow Israel to "seize territory or expand its occupation." The group claims Israeli forces attempted to infiltrate the Ali al-Taher hill area in southern Lebanon overnight. Hezbollah fighters engaged the troops, and Israel responded with air strikes both inside and outside its declared operational zone.
A senior Hezbollah official made it clear that armed resistance remains legitimate as long as Israeli forces stay in Lebanon. The group is determined not to give Israel "freedom of movement" in occupied Lebanese territory.
The renewed violence is casting serious doubt on the durability of both the ceasefire and a broader U.S.-Iran understanding that was announced this week. That agreement hinges in part on ending hostilities in Lebanon, but with fighting escalating again, it is unclear if either side is willing to back down.
Families Killed in Residential Attack
One of the deadliest strikes hit a three-storey residential building in the southern town of Barish in the Tyre district. A local official confirmed that a father, mother and their two children were killed when the building came down. It was a devastating blow to the community and a stark reminder that civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden in this conflict.
The Lebanese army also reported that another Israeli strike killed a soldier on the Kfarrumman-Nabatieh road. In addition, Lebanon's state news agency said an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Nabatieh branch of Lebanon's central bank. The bank confirmed that the building was directly targeted, causing material damage but fortunately no casualties.
Israel's Arabic-language military spokesperson said calm could be achieved if Hezbollah ceased what she called hostile activity and violations of existing agreements. She insisted that Israel's presence in a security zone is meant to remove threats and dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure, not to harm civilians.
Living Under the Bombs
For ordinary people on both sides, life has become a tense waiting game. Ofri Valfer, a resident of northern Israel, described the situation vividly to reporters.
"All night we heard explosions. We got kind of excited by those statements about a ceasefire, but everything is continuing as usual," she said. "You can hear very loud blasts here, and life goes on alongside that. Hopefully better days will come."
Her words capture the frustration and exhaustion felt by many who had hoped the ceasefire would bring an end to months of violence.
Heavy Toll Since March
Lebanon's health ministry says 4,057 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2. This figure includes medics, women and children, though it does not specify how many of the dead were combatants. On the Israeli side, authorities say at least 32 soldiers and four civilians have been killed in the fighting with Hezbollah.
The U.S.-Iran understanding announced this week calls for an immediate and permanent halt to military operations by the parties and their allies across several fronts, including Lebanon. However, Israel was not part of those negotiations and has already opposed provisions it says could constrain its campaign in Lebanon.
As the violence continues, the path to lasting peace appears more uncertain than ever. Both sides remain locked in their positions, and civilians are paying the price.
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