Israeli strikes kill at least 20 in Lebanon after ceasefire takes effect

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley killed at least 20 people, including a family of four, Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported. The strikes occurred one day after a ceasefire took effect, intended to halt months of escalating violence. Israel stated the attacks were a response to projectiles fired by Hezbollah overnight.

An Israeli military official claimed Hezbollah launched over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces, prompting strikes on "Hezbollah targets." The official also stated that five Israeli soldiers had been killed by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon over the past 48 hours. The military asserted it was operating defensively and remained committed to the truce, but would respond decisively to any attacks.

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Hezbollah accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations, and warned that continued attacks "will not pass without a response."

Hezbollah accused Israel of hundreds of ceasefire violations and warned of a response to continued attacks. The group stated it remained committed to the ceasefire but would retaliate against any Israeli attempts to "seize territory or expand its occupation." Hezbollah fighters reportedly engaged Israeli troops attempting to infiltrate an area in southern Lebanon, leading to Israeli airstrikes.

The renewed violence casts doubt on the durability of the ceasefire and a broader US-Iran understanding announced this week, which partly depends on ending hostilities in Lebanon. One of the deadliest strikes hit a residential building in Barish, killing a father, mother, and their two children. Another strike destroyed the Nabatieh branch of Lebanon's central bank, causing material damage but no casualties.

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calm could be achieved if Hezbollah ceased what she described as hostile activity