Israeli air raids in southern Lebanon leave 13 dead, including women and children
Israel launched a series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Monday, killing 13 people, among them women and children, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and personnel over alleged ceasefire violations, while Hezbollah has not commented on the strikes. The escalation follows weeks of relative calm and comes amid continued Israeli occupation of a self-declared security zone in the area.
The deadliest strike leveled a structure in Kfar Rumman, claiming eleven lives, including two children and four women. A separate incident in the same town killed an 18-year-old rescuer affiliated with the Amal movement. Additional strikes hit Rihan and Nabatieh, where nine people were wounded.
Israel's military justified the operations by citing drone launches and weapons transfers by Hezbollah, and reported killing a militant near Beaufort fortress while two soldiers sustained minor injuries. The violence follows a June framework agreement that had previously reduced hostilities, though Israeli forces remain stationed in a declared security zone.
The renewed strikes could deepen instability for civilians in southern Lebanon, who have only recently returned to homes damaged by earlier conflict. This escalation may undermine the fragile truce, potentially displacing families again and straining local rescue services. Regional tensions could also rise if Hezbollah responds militarily, while the continued Israeli occupation of a security zone may perpetuate cycles of retaliation, leaving border communities vulnerable to further violence.