Israeli Strikes Result in Nine Deaths in Southern Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to Lebanese authorities, amid rocket fire from the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah into northern Israel.
Lebanon's health ministry reported that among the dead were two paramedics whose ambulance was struck in the southern Chehour area. Additionally, a car was hit just south of Beirut.
Military Engagements and Interceptions
Israel's military stated that it intercepted a drone and two projectiles that crossed the border. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing rockets targeting a gathering of Israeli troops.
These incidents challenged a partial ceasefire agreement reached on Monday, under which Lebanon stated that Israel would refrain from bombing Beirut in exchange for Hezbollah's commitment not to attack Israel.
Diplomatic Efforts to Reinforce Ceasefire
Israeli and Lebanese diplomats continued their second day of talks in Washington on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen the ceasefire arrangement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that the discussions would yield "an action plan on a track for security in [Lebanon], independent from Hezbollah."
Background of the Conflict
Lebanon became involved in the broader conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran on 2 March, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with an air campaign across Lebanon and a ground invasion in the south.
A US-brokered ceasefire on 16 April failed to halt hostilities. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered intensified military strikes on Hezbollah and deeper advances into Lebanon following drone and rocket attacks on northern Israeli communities.
Casualties and Displacement
According to Lebanon's health ministry, at least 3,516 people have died in Lebanon since the war began, without distinction between combatants and civilians.
The United Nations reports that over one million people have registered as displaced within Lebanon, where Israeli evacuation orders cover more than one-eighth of the country.
Israel reports 26 soldiers and four civilians killed on both sides of the border during the conflict.
Details of Wednesday's Strikes
Lebanese media reported Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday.
The health ministry stated that four Syrians and two Palestinians were killed in a strike in the al-Housh area, just south of the coastal city of Tyre.
Two paramedics were killed and a third seriously wounded when Israeli forces "directly targeted an ambulance" in the Chehour area, approximately 14km (9 miles) east. The ambulance belonged to the Risala Scouts Association, affiliated with the Amal movement, an ally of Hezbollah.
The ministry accused the Israeli military of "demonstrating contempt for international humanitarian law," which specifically protects medical personnel.
Over the past three months, at least 128 paramedics and healthcare workers have been killed in Israeli attacks on ambulances and medical facilities, according to the ministry.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Previously, it has alleged that ambulances are used for military purposes, though without providing evidence.
Lebanese Army Casualties and Responses
The Lebanese army reported that one soldier was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the road between Nabatieh and Kfar Tebnit, about 27km northeast of Tyre. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that his motorbike was targeted by a drone.
Two additional Lebanese soldiers were injured in a separate Israeli strike on their vehicle on the road between Deir Zahrani and Nabatieh.
The army condemned what it described as "a pattern of deliberate strikes targeting army personnel, vehicles and positions" by Israeli forces.
NNA also reported an Israeli strike on a car on the coastal highway in the Khaldeh area, just south of Beirut. While no casualties were mentioned by NNA, security sources told that two people were injured.
This strike was the closest to the capital since the partial ceasefire was announced.
Israeli Military Interceptions and Hezbollah Rocket Fire
On Wednesday, the Israeli military said it intercepted a "hostile aircraft" crossing the border near the Manara and Kiryat Shmona areas, about 15km south of Nabatieh, as well as two projectiles crossing in the nearby Misgav Am area.
The military did not immediately assign blame, but Hezbollah later stated that in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire, its fighters targeted "a gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers" in northern Israel with a rocket barrage.
Earlier, Hezbollah reported conducting drone attacks on Israeli troops operating in the Odaisseh, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, and Yahmar al-Shaqif areas of southern Lebanon.
Warnings and Ceasefire Terms
Israeli leaders have warned that military strikes on Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahieh, would resume if the group launched cross-border attacks on northern Israeli communities.
The Lebanese government stated that the partial ceasefire agreed on Monday specifies that "Israel will not launch a broad offensive on Beirut in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from launching attacks against Israel."
Hezbollah confirmed acceptance of the ceasefire, but Mahmoud Qamati, a member of the group's political council, told the BBC on Tuesday:
"There was no ceasefire agreement, just the protection of Dahieh."
Qamati also asserted that Hezbollah would not abide by any commitments made at the Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington.
"We think these negotiations do not concern us, nor do we recognise their findings or decisions, because we have rejected them on principle," he said.
Voices from Displaced Lebanese
At Beirut's waterfront, where thousands of displaced people live in tents with limited access to food, clean water, and sanitation, Mariam Hessa expressed a desire for a nationwide ceasefire.
"I don't think it's fair, because always the south is being bombed, and the houses [are] being damaged, destroyed, people are dying," the 23-year-old student told the BBC.
"I want the ceasefire to be for all Lebanon, not just for an area like Dahieh or even the south. No, it's for all Lebanon. We need this."
US Involvement and Leadership Comments
The partial ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday appeared to confirm reports that it was brokered after he called Netanyahu "crazy" in an expletive-laden phone call prompted by the prime minister's order to bomb Beirut.
"I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon," Trump told the New York Post's Pod Force One podcast. "At some point, I said: 'Bibi [Netanyahu], we've got to stop this.'"
Netanyahu subsequently agreed to hold off from striking Beirut but emphasized that the Israeli military would continue operations in southern Lebanon.
When asked about the call in an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu said:
"Sometimes, like the best families, we have these tactical disagreements. We always find a way to resolve them."
Trump is reportedly concerned that further escalation in Lebanon could jeopardize a broader deal aimed at ending the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Iran has warned the US that any regional ceasefire must include Lebanon.
