Fresh Israeli attacks across Lebanon have killed at least seven people and injured several others, deepening fears that the already fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is rapidly collapsing despite a recent agreement to extend the truce for another 45 days.
The deadly bombardments took place on Monday, only days after Lebanese and Israeli officials concluded talks in Washington, DC under United States mediation aimed at preventing a wider regional escalation.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Leader Killed
Among those killed was Wael Abdel Halim, identified as a senior figure within the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, along with his 17-year-old daughter, Rama.
According to Lebanonโs Ministry of Public Health, both were killed when an Israeli air strike targeted an apartment building in the town of Douris in the Baalbek district of eastern Lebanon.
The attack triggered scenes of grief in the nearby Jalil Palestinian refugee camp, where mourners marched through the area carrying flags and chanting in solidarity with the victims.Heavy Bombardment Across Southern LebanonIsraeli air raids and artillery attacks also intensified across southern Lebanon, with strikes reported in Hanaway, Dibal, Deir Ammar, Deir Amess, Meirka, Harouf, and several surrounding villages.Residents described widespread panic as explosions echoed across populated areas while drones and fighter jets remained active overhead throughout the day.Israeli forces claimed the attacks targeted positions linked to Hezbollah, including alleged weapons depots, surveillance points, and operational facilities.The Israeli military additionally stated that several Hezbollah members were killed while allegedly preparing attacks against Israeli forces near the border.Hezbollah Responds With Drone and Missile AttacksHezbollah announced that it had launched retaliatory operations against Israeli military targets in southern Lebanon.
According to the group, a drone attack targeted an Israeli bulldozer near Deir Siryan, while missiles were fired toward Israeli troops and military vehicles gathered in the Rashaf area.
The exchange of fire highlights the growing instability along the Lebanon-Israel border despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Ceasefire Extension Fails to Stop Escalation
The latest violence came shortly after a third round of US-mediated talks aimed at extending the ceasefire agreement originally reached earlier this year.
The negotiations reportedly resulted in a new 45-day extension and plans for additional security discussions scheduled for late May and early June in Washington.
However, the diplomatic progress has so far failed to reduce military operations on the ground.
Observers say Israeli strikes have continued almost daily, while Hezbollah remains actively engaged in cross-border attacks.
Forced Evacuations and Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The Israeli military also issued new evacuation warnings to civilians living in several southern Lebanese towns, ordering residents to leave before planned attacks.
Many families fled their homes carrying belongings as strikes intensified across multiple districts.
Humanitarian organizations warn the conflict is worsening Lebanonโs already severe humanitarian crisis.
According to estimates from the Danish Refugee Council, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced by the fighting between March and April alone.
Entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon have suffered extensive destruction, while civilians continue facing shortages of shelter, electricity, water, and medical services.
Analysis: Risk of Wider Regional Conflict Growing
Analysts say the continued escalation despite ceasefire extensions demonstrates how fragile the situation has become.
The combination of Israeli military operations, Hezbollah retaliation, forced displacement, and regional tensions connected to Iran and Gaza has increased fears that Lebanon could once again become the center of a much larger Middle East war.
Diplomatic negotiations continue behind the scenes, but ongoing attacks suggest that neither side is fully committed to de-escalation on the battlefield.
With civilian casualties rising and displacement spreading rapidly, pressure is mounting internationally for stronger efforts to prevent the conflict from spiraling further out of control.
Source: Al Jazeera
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