At least 60 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past four days as Israeli military operations intensify, severely testing a fragile ceasefire agreement established just over a fortnight ago.
On Sunday alone, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon claimed 20 lives, marking one of the deadliest periods since the truce began. According to the Lebanese health ministry, the casualties since Thursday include two children killed and 14 others injured.
While the ministry’s figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, Israel maintains that its operations specifically target the armed Shia Islamist group Hezbollah.
During the same four-day period, the Israeli military reported that 17 of its soldiers were killed, accusing Hezbollah of launching hundreds of rockets and drones.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged the increasing threat posed by the group’s drone capabilities, warning that neutralizing the issue “will take time”.
On Monday, Israeli Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee instructed residents in several villages to move at least one kilometre from their homes.
These locations are situated outside the “yellow line,” a 10-kilometre strip of Israeli-occupied territory along the border.
Israel asserts that the ceasefire terms allow it to continue operations within this zone against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks” – an interpretation Lebanese officials have challenged as a violation of the agreement.
Hezbollah has admitted to conducting a series of retaliatory attacks, including drone strikes on Israeli troops in Naqoura and rocket fire in Qantara. The group further claimed to have utilised artillery and “kamikaze drones” against Israeli positions.
The escalating hostilities coincide with a stalemate in diplomatic efforts. Although recent talks in the United States marked the first direct ambassador-level contact between the two nations in decades, they have yet to produce tangible results on the ground.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has demanded that Israel fully implement the ceasefire terms before further negotiations proceed.
In a public address on Monday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem remained dismissive of the diplomatic process, describing direct negotiations as a “free concession” that serves the political interests of Mr Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
Since the current round of fighting commenced on 2 March, the Lebanese health ministry estimates the total death toll has surpassed 2,600. A member of Hezbollah stated to BBC that fewer than 1,000 of those killed were fighters.
