At Least Five Dead in Israeli Attacks on South Lebanon Despite New Ceasefire

At least five people died in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to Lebanese official media. These strikes occurred despite a ceasefire that officially began on Friday between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group. The attacks underscore the fragile nature of the truce and the ongoing violence in the region.

The town of Arab Salim appears to have been the hardest hit, with two airstrikes carried out by Israeli warplanes at 6:30 AM local time. These attacks resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals. Additionally, an Israeli drone targeted Deir al-Zahrani, killing one person, and another Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle struck Doueir, claiming another life, as reported by the Lebanese National News Agency (ANN).

Lebanese media has not yet identified the deceased. While Israel and the United States, acting as a mediator, reported the ceasefire's commencement on Friday, Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for any actions on Saturday and has remained silent on the truce. This lack of clear communication adds to the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire's effectiveness.

Lebanon experienced one of its bloodiest days in recent weeks on Friday, with the Ministry of Public Health reporting 47 deaths from Israeli attacks across various locations, particularly in the south. Since the Israeli offensive began on March 2, the total death toll has reached approximately 3,980, with over 12,000 people injured.