Israeli strikes hit Lebanon, killing eight despite ceasefire reports

Southern Lebanon was subjected to intense Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on Friday, resulting in at least eight deaths and seven people missing under rubble, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).

The violence unfolded despite reports that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to renew a fragile ceasefire. Rescue teams and civil defense workers were engaged in searching collapsed buildings as families anxiously awaited news of their missing relatives.

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Israel should abandon what he described as restrained measures and intensify its campaign in Lebanon.

The Israeli military stated it had targeted over 150 Hezbollah sites since midnight in response to Hezbollah attacks on advancing Israeli forces, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed to have inflicted substantial losses on Israeli forces, reporting successful strikes on Merkava tanks and troop concentrations.

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Israel will maintain security zones in Lebanon, as well as in Gaza and Syria, for as long as national security de

This renewed hostility has complicated international efforts to stabilize the region. Technical talks between the United States and Iran, part of a recent 60-day agreement, have been postponed due to concerns over the escalating situation in Lebanon.

Hezbollah's acting Secretary-General Naim Qassem accused Israel of seeking to establish new "security zones" in southern Lebanon and rejected disarmament calls. He reiterated Hezbollah's demand for a full Israeli withdrawal. Meanwhile, Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, indicated that military operations would continue as necessary to ensure Israel's northern border security, with Ben-Gvir advocating for a more aggressive response.

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Israel is attempting to impose new 'security zones' in southern Lebanon and rejected calls for the group to disarm.