Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in at least five fatalities on Friday, as Hezbollah, with ties to Iran, launched rockets at northern Israel without causing any casualties. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that four individuals were killed and eight others were injured in an Israeli airstrike in the village of Toura near Tyre. Another airstrike in Kfar Chouba resulted in the death of a paramedic from the Lebanese Civil Defense.
The Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson had issued an evacuation warning to residents of six villages in Tyre province, including Toura, just hours before the strikes. Shortly after, Hezbollah fired rockets towards northern Israel, with the Israeli military intercepting one rocket while the rest landed in uninhabited areas.
Despite a ceasefire in place since April 17, sporadic violence continues, including an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier in the week. The Israeli military confirmed the killing of Ahmed Balout, identified as a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, along with two other militants.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged European nations to pressure Israel to honor the ceasefire and refrain from demolishing homes in occupied villages. Aoun emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire as a precursor to negotiations aimed at resolving the current tensions.
European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, echoed the need for Hezbollah to cease attacks and disarm, while urging Israel to limit airstrikes targeting humanitarian facilities.
Discussions between Lebanon and Israel are anticipated to take place next week in Washington, with the most recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commencing in March. Following the initial hostilities, the two nations engaged in their first direct talks in over three decades, despite formally being in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948.
A 10-day ceasefire established in Washington on April 17 has been extended by three weeks.