FRESH Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon have intensified concerns over the stability of an already fragile ceasefire, with at least six people reported killed in attacks carried out despite an extension of the truce.
AFP reported that the latest wave of strikes followed earlier deadly incidents and came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to “attack Hezbollah targets”, accusing the group of violating ceasefire terms.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported multiple strikes overnight, including two in a town in Bint Jbeil district, another in Tyre district, and additional attacks on two towns in Nabatieh.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, one strike targeted a lorry and a motorcycle in Yohmor al-Shaqeef in Nabatieh, killing four people. A separate attack in Safad al-Battikh in Bint Jbeil left two dead and 17 injured.
The Israeli military said it had killed three Hezbollah members travelling in a weapons-laden vehicle, another riding a motorcycle, and two additional operatives in separate locations.
It also claimed to have detected two projectiles launched from Lebanon, condemning what it described as a clear breach of the ceasefire by Hezbollah, and said it intercepted another suspicious aerial target.
Israel said its forces struck Hezbollah infrastructure used for military purposes across southern Lebanon and would continue to respond forcefully to threats, maintaining that it retains the right to act against immediate dangers under the ceasefire terms.
In response, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli military vehicle in southern Lebanon following the strike in Yohmor al-Shaqeef.
An AFP journalist reported that some residents fled Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold that was heavily bombed during the war, after Netanyahu’s remarks.
The escalation comes despite a ceasefire announced by Donald Trump, which began on April 17 as a 10-day truce and was later extended by three weeks.
Further reports from the National News Agency said Israeli artillery fire struck several areas in southern Lebanon, while a powerful explosion was heard in Khiam, a strategic town near the eastern border with Israel, where Israeli forces were said to be systematically demolishing homes and buildings.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising over the town, according to witnesses.
On the ground, Israeli forces have again warned residents not to return to dozens of locations within a roughly 10-kilometre strip along the border, referred to as the “yellow line”.
Since March 2, at least 2,496 people have been killed in Lebanon as a result of Israeli attacks, according to local authorities.
Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayad said the group reserves the right to respond to any Israeli aggression, adding that the extension of the ceasefire was meaningless in light of ongoing “hostile” actions. - April 26, 2026
