Widespread Israeli attacks swept across southern Lebanon on Sunday, with Lebanese official media reporting intense shelling and the Ministry of Health confirming at least five fatalities in the latest escalation. These extensive military operations, detailed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA), struck approximately 30 locations across the southern region, with additional strikes also reported in the West Bekaa area.
Israel has maintained that a broader ceasefire in the Middle East does not extend to its ongoing conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, thereby justifying its continued assaults on Lebanese territory. This assertion underscores the persistent tension and sporadic outbreaks of violence along the volatile border.
The human cost of these strikes was tragically evident in Qana, where an Israeli attack resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including three women, and left 25 others wounded, according to the Ministry of Health, citing AFP. The NNA further indicated that homes and critical infrastructure were specifically targeted in this assault. An AFP photographer on the ground in the southern city captured scenes of widespread destruction, with excavators laboring to clear debris and first responders tirelessly recovering bodies from beneath the rubble.
The latest casualties contribute to a grim overall toll. The Lebanese Ministry of Health has updated the cumulative death count in Lebanon to 2,055 people since the war erupted on March 2nd. This staggering figure includes 165 children and 87 healthcare workers, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on the civilian population and essential services.
Amidst the escalating violence, Pope Leo XIV, who visited Lebanon late last year, expressed his deep solidarity with the Lebanese people on Sunday. He passionately underscored the moral obligation to protect civilian populations from the horrific consequences of war, emphasizing a universal plea for humanity amidst the conflict.
The severe impact on vital infrastructure was vividly described by Hassan Berro, a rescuer from the Risala Scout association in Bazuriyeh, southern Lebanon. He reported that their emergency center was directly hit and completely destroyed, along with all its contents, including medical beds and essential equipment. The aftermath of the attack left shattered windows, debris covering hospital beds, and extensive damage to the building’s walls and ceilings.
In a retaliatory move, Hezbollah announced that it had launched its own attacks against Israeli targets, both across the border and within Lebanon. These operations included strikes against Israeli forces in the southern city of Bint Jbeil, a location where the NNA reported fierce fighting, indicating a reciprocal cycle of hostilities. The complexities of the conflict were further highlighted when the Israeli army, on Sunday, accused Hezbollah of using hospital complexes within Bint Jbeil for military purposes, adding another layer to the strategic and ethical dimensions of the ongoing clashes.