Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two women, as confirmed by the Lebanese Health Ministry. The strikes were a response to alleged drone attacks by Hezbollah within Israeli-occupied territories. Despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States in June, the Israeli military maintained operations within a designated security zone in southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, two men were killed near the area occupied by Israeli troops, while the two women lost their lives in Arab Salim, situated north of the occupied zone. The Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for areas close to a building in Arab Salim, which they claimed was utilized by Hezbollah. This strike resulted in the deaths of two girls and injuries to six others.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office condemned the strikes, labeling them as a “dangerous escalation” that targeted civilian establishments, including a hospital and the Finance Ministry building. President Aoun held Israel accountable for the escalation and urged the international community to intervene and hold the perpetrators responsible.
The Israeli military stated that their targets included Hezbollah weapons storage sites and a command center housed in a former hospital building. They emphasized the use of precision weapons and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian casualties. This evacuation warning marked the second issued since the ceasefire announcement in June.
Additionally, a prior evacuation order was issued on August 5 for residents near Tyre, following leaflet drops by Israel prompting residents to evacuate before strikes. On Friday, four individuals were killed and 23 injured in southern Lebanon due to Israeli strikes conducted without prior evacuation warnings, targeting Hezbollah weapon storage facilities.
Hezbollah criticized Israel’s continued escalation, suggesting it aimed to pressure the Lebanese government engaged in talks with Israel under U.S. mediation, a dialogue rejected by the Iran-backed group. The death toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon since March 2, prompted by Hezbollah’s actions in support of Iran, has now exceeded 4,300 casualties.