Ten people died Friday in Israeli military strikes targeting southern Lebanon, with six paramedics and a Syrian child among the casualties, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported. The deadly attacks represent the most recent violence in ongoing cross-border hostilities that persist despite a fragile, U.S.-negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The ministry detailed that the initial strike targeted Hanouiyeh village, resulting in four deaths among paramedics employed by Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Association. Two additional paramedics sustained injuries in that attack.
A second Friday morning strike hit Deir Qanoun al Nahr village in the coastal Tyre province, claiming six lives including a Syrian child and two paramedics from the Al-Rissala Scouts Association, a medical group connected to Amal movement, which allies with Hezbollah. Six others suffered injuries, among them three paramedics and a Syrian woman.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry characterized both strikes as violations of international law.
The U.N. World Health Organization reported Thursday that 169 documented attacks against healthcare personnel and medical facilities have occurred in Lebanon since the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict started, causing 116 fatalities.
Israeli military officials did not provide responses to requests for comment. The military has previously claimed that the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant organization uses ambulances to conceal military operations, though no supporting evidence has been presented.
Cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah continues despite the U.S.-negotiated ceasefire agreement.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced earlier this week that casualties from the most recent round of Israel-Hezbollah fighting in Lebanon have exceeded 3,000 deaths.
The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict commenced on March 2, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel two days after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, a primary supporter of the Lebanese militant organization.
Friday also saw statements from Lebanon’s army and General Security Directorate emphasizing their officers’ discipline, professionalism and exclusive loyalty to their institutions and country.
These declarations followed Thursday’s announcement by the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposing sanctions on multiple Hezbollah-connected legislators, state security personnel and militant group allies for allegedly working to maintain the Iran-supported organization’s control over Lebanese government institutions while hindering disarmament initiatives.
Washington sanctioned sitting Lebanese state security officials for the first time, targeting one official from the General Security Directorate and another from military intelligence. Both face accusations of supplying Hezbollah with unauthorized support and intelligence throughout the current conflict.
