5 Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Southern Lebanon Despite Ceasefire

BEIRUT, June 20: At least five people were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon early Saturday, according to Lebanese media reports, despite a ceasefire agreement that recently came into effect between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli warplanes carried out strikes on several towns in the Nabatiyeh region, including Upper Nabatiyeh, Nmeiriyeh, Choukin, Habboosh, Kfarjouz, Arabsalim, Zibdin, Sajd, Mahmoudiyeh and Deir Zahrani. The attacks were accompanied by artillery shelling near the center of Nabatiyeh city.

According to the reports, three people were killed in an airstrike on Arabsalim, while another person died in a strike on Deir Zahrani. A fifth victim was killed in a drone attack targeting a motorcycle at the entrance to the town of Doueir.

The latest strikes come despite a ceasefire that took effect on Friday and amid reports of a recently announced US-Iran agreement that includes measures aimed at reducing regional hostilities, including along the Israel-Lebanon front.

Lebanese authorities say Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon since March 2 has resulted in more than 3,980 deaths, over 12,000 injuries and the displacement of more than one million people. The renewed violence has raised concerns over the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for broader regional de-escalation.