Israel carried out heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday ahead of upcoming diplomatic talks in Washington, while Lebanese authorities reported that 380 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since a ceasefire took effect on April 17.
Lebanon’s health ministry said 13 people were killed in the latest strikes, including two rescuers and a wounded person they were attempting to evacuate following an earlier attack in Nabatieh. Officials condemned what they described as Israel’s “complete disregard for international norms.”
At the same time, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed to escalate resistance, warning that the battlefield would be turned into “hell” for Israeli forces and insisting the group’s weapons would not be part of any negotiations.
The developments come as Israel continues intensified operations in southern Lebanon, where it says it is responding to security threats despite the ceasefire agreement. Under the truce terms, Israel maintains the right to act against what it considers imminent danger.
Lebanon’s health ministry said the overall death toll since the ceasefire began has reached 380, including women and children, with more than 1,100 others injured. Officials also reported that emergency and health workers were among those killed.
Aid organisations, including Save the Children, said children were being disproportionately affected, reporting that several minors were killed or injured daily during the initial weeks of the ceasefire.
The Israeli military said its forces had conducted operations in southern Lebanon’s Litani region over the past week, targeting what it described as militant infrastructure.
Israel has also issued evacuation warnings for multiple villages in southern and eastern Lebanon ahead of further strikes, intensifying concerns over civilian safety.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it continued to carry out attacks on Israeli forces and border positions, describing them as retaliation for ceasefire violations.
In a statement, Hezbollah leader Qassem rejected calls for disarmament, saying the group’s weapons are an “internal Lebanese matter” and opposing direct negotiations with Israel.
The conflict remains highly volatile despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, with both sides continuing military operations amid international calls for de-escalation.
