Beirut, Lebanon. Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 16 people on Saturday, according to Lebanese Civil Defence, hours after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect. Israel said it was responding to projectiles fired by the Iran-backed group.
Strikes reported in south and Bekaa Valley
Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israeli warplanes and drones struck multiple locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
One of the deadliest strikes hit a three-storey residential building in the southern town of Barish in the Tyre district, killing a father, a mother and their two children, a town official said.
Israeli account of the fighting
An Israeli military official said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, prompting strikes on what the official described as Hezbollah targets.
The Israeli military, which has occupied areas of southern Lebanon, said Hezbollah’s attacks amounted to repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.
It said it remained committed to the truce in line with political directives and would respond decisively to any attacks on Israeli civilians or troops.
Hezbollah response
Hezbollah said it also remained committed to the ceasefire but would respond to any attempt by Israel to seize territory or expand its occupation.
The group said Israeli forces attempted overnight to infiltrate the Ali al-Taher hill area in southern Lebanon. It said its fighters engaged them, after which Israel carried out airstrikes inside and outside its declared operational area.
A senior Hezbollah official said the group would not allow Israel freedom of movement in occupied Lebanese territory and added that resistance remained legitimate while Israeli forces remained in Lebanon.
Fragile truce
The strikes underscored the fragility of the truce intended to stop months of escalating violence, as well as an interim peace deal between the United States and Iran that partly depends on an end to the conflict in Lebanon.