Arabic version: الغارات الجوية الإسرائيلية في لبنان تودي بحياة المزيد، وتحدي وقف إطلاق النار

New Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in additional casualties, with reports indicating at least seven people killed and many more wounded. This escalation comes just a day after a devastating attack that claimed 203 lives, raising serious questions about the fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, which Tehran asserts includes Lebanon. According to Al Jazeera, the Lebanese National News Agency reported the latest strike occurred in the town of Abbassiyeh.

Israeli warplanes targeted various locations, including Kafra and Deir Antar, while artillery shelling reportedly damaged the town of Haris. The Lebanese army confirmed that four of its soldiers were killed in strikes on Wednesday. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for overnight strikes in Beirut, asserting that they killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, an aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, although Hezbollah has not yet commented on this.

The recent air strikes appear to signal a broader military campaign by Israel, continuing despite the ceasefire agreement announced between Washington and Tehran. Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim noted that Israel’s actions reflect a deeper alignment with the U.S., suggesting that Israel is intensifying its operations against Hezbollah in response to perceived failures in dealing with Iran.

In retaliation for the ongoing Israeli strikes, Hezbollah confirmed it had launched attacks targeting Israeli positions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon. The group insists that the ceasefire deal must encompass the situation in Lebanon. In response to the escalating violence, Lebanon’s Prime Minister declared a national day of mourning, closing public offices and lowering flags to honor the victims.

The ongoing Israeli attacks have led to significant casualties since they began on March 2, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry reporting at least 1,739 deaths and over 5,873 injuries. The international community has reacted strongly, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemning the strikes, emphasizing their detrimental impact on the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.