Israeli air strikes have killed at least 17 people in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). Nine people were killed in multiple strikes on the town of Tayr Debba, three in Deir Qanoun el-Nahr, and two in Seddiqin. Later, a drone strike in Sidon killed two more.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group announced it had targeted Israeli troop gatherings and military vehicles with rocket barrages and shellfire in the Bayada and Yohmor areas. The conflict began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran's supreme leader.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk announced he is sending a team of investigators to Lebanon at the government's request. The team will examine possible human rights violations by all sides since March, with evidence potentially used for war crimes prosecutions. Israel has been informed but its cooperation remains unclear.

Lebanon's health ministry reports at least 3,696 deaths during the conflict, while Israeli authorities say 30 soldiers and four civilians have been killed. Nearly one million people in Lebanon remain displaced, and 1.4 million need humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

The US brokered a ceasefire on April 16, but fighting has continued. Iran warned it would resume hostilities if Israel continues attacking Lebanon, but the Israeli regime insisted it would not accept a "new equation" and would keep operating against Hezbollah.

Source: www.bbc.com