President Michel Aoun has condemned ongoing Israeli violations in southern Lebanon after Israeli strikes killed at least 15 people, the health ministry reported on Thursday. The attacks come despite a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for nearly two weeks.
Details of the Attacks
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that Israeli strikes on four locations in southern Lebanon killed 15 people, including at least five women and two children. The state-run National News Agency reported that one strike killed four members of the same family, while another killed six people near a village cemetery. Additionally, the Lebanese army reported that a strike on a home in Kfar Rumman killed one soldier and several family members, though this was not yet included in the official toll.
Ceasefire Violations
President Aoun, speaking to a delegation from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, slammed the continuing violations despite the ceasefire. He highlighted the demolition of homes and places of worship and the rising number of casualties. Aoun called for international pressure on Israel to respect international law and cease targeting civilians, paramedics, and humanitarian organizations.
The ceasefire, announced after direct talks between the two countries' ambassadors in Washington, began on April 17. However, Israel declared a so-called 'Yellow Line' demarcating a strip of Lebanese territory about 10 kilometers deep along the border, where it has been operating and demolishing villages.
Hezbollah Response and Protests
Iran-backed Hezbollah claimed several attacks on Israeli army targets in southern Lebanon, including tanks and soldiers. In Beirut, dozens of residents and local officials from southern Lebanon gathered to protest the destruction of their villages. Hanaa Ibrahim, 48, from the border village of Ainata, told AFP, 'We will not surrender and will not normalize relations with Israel. We will not accept shaking hands with them. We will continue until the last drop of blood.'
Dispute Over Ceasefire Terms
The ceasefire text, published by the US State Department, grants Israel the right to act against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. Hezbollah rejects this language, saying it was never presented to Lebanon's cabinet, which includes members of the group. On Wednesday, President Aoun stated that the wording appeared in a US State Department statement and was the same text adopted in November 2024 as part of the previous ceasefire agreement. He added that all parties had agreed to the text at the time. However, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, called Aoun's remarks inaccurate, also referring to the November 2024 agreement.
Three paramedics killed by Israel were buried on Thursday, as the situation remains tense with ongoing airstrikes and calls for evacuation of more than 20 southern villages by the Israeli army.
