At least nine people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting a village in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, amid a renewed escalation that threatens a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
Eight people, including a child and two women, were killed when an overnight strike destroyed a three-story residential building in Kfar Remman. Eleven others were injured, including four children, two women and a paramedic.
A second strike targeted a vehicle carrying emergency workers, killing one paramedic and injuring two others.
The Israeli military said it was reviewing reports about the strikes.
The latest attacks came after Israeli strikes killed seven people across southern Lebanon on Sunday. Israel said those operations were carried out in response to drone attacks by Hezbollah against Israeli troops in occupied areas of Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the latest developments as a “dangerous escalation,” warning that they could jeopardize the ceasefire agreement reached in June. He called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt its attacks.
Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have intensified in recent days, particularly near areas where Israeli forces maintain positions. The escalation has prompted residents in affected communities to flee once again.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of repeatedly launching drone attacks and attempting to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon. It has also accused the Iran-backed group of violating the ceasefire.
The agreement reached between Lebanon, Israel and the United States calls for Hezbollah to disarm, Israeli forces to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army to deploy throughout the area.
The wider conflict intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel on March 2 in retaliation for a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel subsequently launched an extensive bombing campaign and expanded military operations into southern Lebanon.
Lebanese health authorities say at least 4,354 people have been killed during the conflict, including 394 women and 258 children. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Israeli authorities say 40 soldiers and four civilians have been killed during the conflict.
