'Israel' escalates attacks on Lebanon despite US-Iran ceasefire
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- 'Israel' launches heavy strikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut suburbs.
- Hezbollah retaliates with dozens of rockets at northern 'Israel'.
- International calls grow to include Lebanon in ceasefire agreement.
'Israeli' forces carried out extensive air and artillery strikes on southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut early Thursday, following a deadly assault on Wednesday that killed over 200 and injured more than 1,000.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the total death toll from 'Israeli' attacks since March 2 now stands at 1,739, with 5,873 injured. The government declared Thursday a national day of mourning.
Read more: Netanyahu says US-Iran ceasefire ‘does not include Lebanon’
Targets included towns and villages across southern Lebanon, such as Al-Zaraya, Al-Abbasiyah, and Tyre outskirts, as well as military infrastructure and rocket launch sites linked to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah fires back
Hezbollah launched at least 30 rockets toward northern 'Israel' early Thursday, striking settlements including Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, and Avivim. The group claimed it targeted an 'Israeli' military force in Al-Marj site and destroyed an 'Israeli' armored vehicle in Taybeh, southern Lebanon.
Read more: 'Israel' threatens more bridges as invasion in Lebanon expands
Hezbollah framed its attacks as retaliation for 'Israeli' violations of the US-Iran ceasefire, warning that its response would continue until the 'Israeli'-American aggression stops.
US-'Israel' coordination
'Israeli' media reported that Tel Aviv and Washington reached understandings to separate the Lebanon front from the Iran front, despite the ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran. 'Israel' maintained that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir vowing continued strikes against Hezbollah.
Global condemnation
Countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Australia, the UK, Egypt, France, Iran, and China condemned 'Israel’s' escalation, calling for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire. UN officials warned that continued 'Israeli' attacks pose a serious risk to regional stability and the fragile US-Iran truce.
Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the killings and destruction in Lebanon as “horrific,” highlighting the humanitarian strain on civilians already affected by regional conflict.
