Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday resulted in four casualties, including two women, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The strikes were in response to alleged Hezbollah drone attacks in areas under Israeli military occupation, despite a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. in June.
The Health Ministry reported that two men were killed in a town near the Israeli-occupied zone, while the two women died in Arab Salim, located north of that area. The Israeli military had issued an evacuation warning for a building in Arab Salim, citing its use by Hezbollah, leading to casualties and injuries.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office condemned the strikes, which reportedly targeted civilian facilities, including a hospital and a Finance Ministry building. President Aoun called for immediate action by the United States and the international community to halt the escalation and hold those responsible to account.
The Israeli military stated that its targets included Hezbollah weapons storage sites and a command center within a former hospital building. It emphasized the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian casualties. This marked the second evacuation warning issued since the ceasefire announcement in June.
Previous strikes in southern Lebanon had led to casualties and damages without prior warnings. Hezbollah accused Israel of escalating tensions to influence Lebanese government negotiations with U.S. involvement, a process rejected by the Iran-backed group. The conflict has resulted in over 4,300 deaths in Lebanon since March.