Israeli air attacks on Sunday killed at least nine people across southern Lebanon and wounded 13 others, intensifying strikes that reduced multiple residential buildings to rubble. Three people died in Jebchit, four in Toul, and two in Harouf, with seven wounded in Jebchit when a strike hit a residential building, and six injured in Toul. Reports indicate the fighting in recent days has focused on southern Lebanon, as Israeli air strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks intensified over the weekend in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
Intensified Attacks and Casualties
Further attacks targeted Sultaniyah, and artillery fire reportedly hit the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Mayfadoun. The Israeli military stated it struck a rocket launcher in southern Lebanon overnight that was poised to fire toward Israel. Reports indicated Taleen Saeed, just under two years old, was killed when a strike hit during her father's funeral, while her seven-year-old sister, Aline, sustained severe burns and was hospitalized. Nasser Saeed, 63, narrowly escaped the strike, stating, "This isn't humanity. This is a war crime. Where are the human rights? If a child - a child - is wounded in Israel, the whole world jumps up. Are we not people? Are we not humans? We're like them!"
Heavy Israeli air strikes were reported across dozens of towns in southern Lebanon on Sunday, including in Bint Jbeil. Lebanon's health ministry accused Israel of targeting civilians and medical facilities. A Lebanese Red Cross rescuer was killed by an Israeli drone strike while on a humanitarian mission. Lebanese authorities say more than 80 rescuers and medical personnel have been killed in Israeli strikes since the start of the war. The Israeli military stated its ground forces killed more than 20 Hezbollah militants operating out of a hospital compound in Bint Jbeil in recent days. Israeli authorities say twelve Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah over the same period.
Broader Conflict and Diplomatic Efforts
Lebanon's National News Agency reported the events surrounding the recent escalation. Reports indicated the United States and Iran did not reach a quick peace deal over the weekend, while President Trump reportedly asked Israel last week to scale back its attacks on Lebanon. Israel states its attacks are targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, and it has not bombed the capital, Beirut, since an onslaught on Wednesday.
Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled to meet for rare talks in Washington this coming week, with the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States expected to meet on Tuesday. Lebanese, Israeli, and U.S. Officials are also due to hold talks in Washington on Tuesday. On Sunday, the Israeli military said its ground forces carried out a raid on a Hezbollah infrastructure site in southern Lebanon, killing an armed militant. Local media reported fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in and around the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil. The Lebanese ministry of health denied Israel’s claims about a hospital in Bint Jbeil, stating that Israel attacked civilians and medical crews. Hezbollah issued statements on Sunday, saying it attacked Israeli military targets in Bint Jbeil and nearby villages, and fired rockets, artillery, and drones into northern Israel over the weekend. Reports indicated Israel’s ongoing invasion of Lebanon has been a source of tension in the cease-fire with Iran.
Escalation and Peace Talks
Iran reportedly demanded the truce extend to Lebanon, but Israel and the United States stated this was not part of their agreement. Hours after the cease-fire was announced, Israel bombarded Beirut and other parts of Lebanon on Wednesday, with Lebanese authorities reporting that wave of Israeli strikes killed more than 300 people. Reports indicated Wednesday marked the deadliest day of fighting since Hezbollah joined the conflict in early March by firing rockets at Israel. Israeli officials said about 200 of those killed in Lebanon on Wednesday belonged to Hezbollah, adding that Israel’s ongoing campaign is focused on southern Lebanon, holding back from targeting Beirut and its outskirts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday night that Israel was “still active” on the Lebanese front, adding, "We are fighting Hezbollah and we are determined, I am determined, to return security to the residents” of northern Israel." He also stated, "There is more to do." Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the strip of southern Lebanon occupied by Israeli forces on Sunday with Defense Minister Israel Katz and military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Preparatory talks between Israel and Lebanon are expected to focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and efforts to reach a lasting peace. The office of President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon said on Friday that the parties agreed to discuss a cease-fire announcement and setting a date for negotiations under U.S. Auspices. Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Israel "agreed to begin formal peace negotiations this coming Tuesday,” but that it “refused to discuss a cease-fire” with Hezbollah," with Israel's embassy in Washington confirming the talks would constitute the start of formal peace negotiations. Restrictions limiting public gatherings were tightened in the northern border areas of Israel.