Israeli strikes kill six in southern Lebanon as evacuation orders expand
The Israeli army issued 16 new evacuation directives in the south, even as strikes continued in areas including al-Namiriya and Arab Salim, killing civilians and a paramedic.
Israeli air strikes have killed at least six people in southern Lebanon, including civilians and a paramedic, as the Israeli army issued 16 fresh evacuation orders across the region. The attacks occurred in al-Namiriya, al-Duweir, Abba, Jebchit, Arab Salim, and Bazouriyeh, with local sources indicating that strikes were carried out both before and after the evacuation directives were distributed.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), the casualties included two young men killed while riding a motorcycle in al-Namiriya, another young man on a motorcycle in al-Duweir, and a Syrian man in Abba. A man was also killed in Jebchit, while a paramedic died after inspecting the site of a recent air strike in Arab Salim. In Bazouriyeh, located in the Tyre district, one person was killed in an air raid. Rescue teams subsequently recovered three bodies from the rubble of a targeted house in Srifa.
Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto reported that the attacks are expanding into populated areas not situated near the front line. Describing the strikes as violent and directed at homes and communities, Hitto noted that civilians are facing difficult decisions regarding displacement, forced to choose between remaining in their communities or continuing long-term displacement outside the south.
In response to the bombardment, Hezbollah reported carrying out drone and rocket attacks on Israeli military positions throughout the day. The group stated it targeted Israeli soldiers in the Biyyada area of the South Governorate with a drone and launched a rocket barrage at soldiers in Rashaf, Nabatieh Governorate.
The escalation occurs amid tense peace talks between the United States and Iran, despite an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Since the conflict began in early March, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli air strikes have killed 3,151 people and wounded 9,571.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem vowed that recent US sanctions against nine individuals linked to the group would strengthen their resolve. In remarks reported by NNA, Qassem criticised the Lebanese government for criminalising the resistance and called on Beirut to take a stronger stance against Israel.
