Israeli drone and airstrikes across Lebanon killed at least 17 people on Saturday, including civilians, as violence continued despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, reported by Arab News.
Near Beirut, three drone strikes hit moving vehicles, leaving four people dead. Two of the strikes targeted a busy highway linking the capital to the southern port city of Sidon, injuring several others. A third strike on a road leading to the Chouf mountains killed three people. Witnesses described scenes of shock, with one body lying on the roadside in the town of Saadiyat.
Further south, Israeli airstrikes struck several areas, killing at least 13 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. In the village of Saksakiyeh, seven people, including a child, were reported dead, while others were wounded. Additional strikes in Bourj Rahhal and Maifadoun added to the toll.
One of the most harrowing incidents unfolded in Nabatiyeh, where a Syrian man and his 12 year old daughter were targeted by a drone. After the first strike, both tried to escape. The man was hit again and killed instantly. The wounded girl managed to move away, but the drone struck her a second time. She later died in hospital.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry condemned the attacks, calling them a “barbaric targeting” of civilians and a serious violation of international law.
The violence marks a sharp escalation since a ceasefire took effect on April 17, yet daily exchanges of fire have continued. Earlier this week, Israel struck a southern suburb of Beirut, saying it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
Israel’s military said Hezbollah also launched drones toward its territory, wounding three soldiers. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli positions along the border.
With both sides trading blows and peace talks still uncertain, the ceasefire appears increasingly fragile, as civilians continue to bear the cost.
