Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least 11 people, including several healthcare workers, officials said Friday.
The attacks occurred in the Tyre district, marking the latest violence that questions the durability of the shaky US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
More than 400 people have been killed by Israeli fire since the deal took effect in mid-April. Israel insists it will continue targeting the Hezbollah armed group, which opposed the Lebanese government's agreement on the ceasefire.
Six people were confirmed dead in the municipality of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr, including two paramedics and a child. In a separate attack in Hannaouiyah, four paramedics were killed. An attack in Nabatieh killed another man.
Israel also carried out several other air raids on Friday, targeting four villages in the Tyre district, according to the state-run National News Agency.
The Israeli military has repeatedly attacked health facilities and medical teams in Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of using them to conceal weapons and fighters. The Lebanese government rejects that claim.
Since the latest escalation in early March, 116 healthcare workers have been killed, 16 hospitals damaged, and 147 ambulances attacked, according to Lebanese officials. Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine condemned the “systematic targeted destruction of the health sector.”
Israel returned to war with Iran-backed Hezbollah in early March. Since then, at least 2,896 people have been killed in Lebanon, over 8,824 injured, and more than 1.6 million displaced – about one-fifth of the country’s population.
A US-brokered ceasefire took effect in mid-April, marking the first direct diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel in over three decades. Last week, it was extended by 45 days, but violence persists.
In August, the Lebanese government pledged to disarm Hezbollah, but the task remains difficult. The group retains significant influence and commands an armed wing stronger than the state army.
On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on nine individuals linked to Hezbollah, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. Lebanon’s military rejected the sanctions, insisting all soldiers are loyal.
Source: www.aljazeera.com