The Israeli military killed six people in an airstrike on a house in southern Lebanon on Monday night, marking the latest violation of a US-brokered truce that critics say exists only on paper. The attack targeted a home in the municipality of Kfar Dounin, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Beirut, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). Seven wounded were taken to hospitals in the coastal city of Tyre.

The airstrike is part of a near-daily pattern of Israeli attacks since the April 16 ceasefire, during which Hezbollah has also engaged in exchanges of fire. The Israeli air force claims to have struck more than 1,100 sites in Lebanon since the so-called truce began. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reports that over 500 people have been killed during the ceasefire period, bringing the total death toll since Israel’s invasion and bombardment began on March 2 to more than 2,800.

Israel showed no signs of de-escalation on Tuesday, issuing new forced displacement orders and threats of further attacks. Israeli military Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee called on residents to evacuate the town of Sohmor in the Bekaa Valley, as well as the towns of Arzoun, Tayr Debba, Bazouriyeh, and al-Haush in southern Lebanon. The military also blew up a water pumping station in Deir Mimas and demolished homes in Bint Jbeil, according to NNA.

Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre, noted a “significant escalation” in attacks over the past week. However, many residents who had previously returned to their towns after earlier displacement are unwilling to leave again. “The people are concerned that this is going to continue. But they are not going to be leaving the south,” Hitto said.

Lebanese leaders have appealed to the US to press Israel to halt the attacks ahead of a third meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officials scheduled for later this week in Washington, DC. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he asked US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa to “exert pressure on Israel to stop the ongoing attacks and violations, in order to consolidate the ceasefire.” Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reported that the upcoming meeting will “essentially determine the next phase of this ceasefire, which is really hanging on in name only.” He added that a face-to-face meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not expected, as Lebanon firmly opposes normalization until Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon.

Source: www.aljazeera.com