Israeli Airstrikes Kill 11 in Southern Lebanon, Including Children and Medical Workers

BEIRUT: Israeli forces have carried out fresh airstrikes across southern Lebanon despite a US-brokered ceasefire, martyring 11 people, including two children and two medical workers, in the latest escalation along the Lebanese border.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, an Israeli warplane struck a residential building in Kfar Reman shortly after midnight, martyring nine people and wounding five others.

Two children were among those martyred in the strike. One of the wounded was reported to be in critical condition, while another was in serious condition.

Another Israeli drone strike in the same area targeted a vehicle belonging to the Risala Scouts, a medical and rescue organisation affiliated with the Amal Movement.

Two members of the medical team were martyred while reportedly travelling to respond to a rescue operation.

The attack has drawn renewed attention to the dangers facing medical and emergency workers operating in southern Lebanon, particularly as Israeli military operations continue despite the ceasefire.

The latest Israeli strikes have raised serious concerns over the continued violation of the ceasefire agreement announced on June 26.

Repeated attacks in southern Lebanon have left civilians exposed to renewed violence and have increased fears that the truce could collapse completely.

For communities living near the border, the continued presence of Israeli forces and repeated airstrikes have created an atmosphere of insecurity even after the ceasefire was supposed to reduce hostilities.

The Israeli military said its forces had detected Hezbollah personnel allegedly transferring weapons and targeted them.

Israel also said Hezbollah had launched two explosive drones against Israeli forces, although it reported that no Israeli soldiers were wounded.

The Israeli military said its subsequent attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including what it described as a weapons storage facility.

However, the latest strikes have once again resulted in civilian casualties, intensifying criticism over the methods being used by Israel in southern Lebanon.

Israel has said that some of its operations are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities.

Yet the reported deaths of children and medical workers highlight the heavy humanitarian consequences of continued Israeli military action.

The targeting of a residential area and a vehicle linked to emergency medical personnel has raised questions about whether civilian protection is being adequately prioritised during Israeli operations.