Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanon’s health ministry said 12 people were killed on Wednesday in a series of Israeli strikes targeting vehicles, as hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel continued.
Vehicle strikes and reported casualties
Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli attacks on Wednesday included three drone strikes targeting vehicles on the coastal highway about 20 km (12 miles) south of Beirut, killing eight people, including two children, according to Lebanese security sources and the ministry.
The ministry said a fourth strike killed one person near the southern city of Sidon, about 40 km (25 miles) from Beirut.
It also said three more people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on cars in three locations further south in Tyre district.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the strikes.
Ongoing conflict and ceasefire
Hezbollah and Israel have continued exchanging attacks despite a U.S.-mediated ceasefire announced last month, with hostilities largely focused in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are occupying a self-declared security zone.
More than 10 weeks into the war that spiralled out of the Iran conflict, Hezbollah confirmed that the commander of its elite Radwan force was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs last week.
Military statements and further attacks
The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and told residents to leave nine towns and villages where it intended to act against the group.
Hezbollah announced new attacks on Israeli forces in the south, including several using kamikaze drones.
What impact do you think the reported strikes will have on efforts to sustain the ceasefire?