Israeli strikes kill six in southern Lebanon hours after ceasefire extension

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least six people on Saturday, including three paramedics working at a health center, just hours after Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by an additional 45 days. The attacks occurred despite the ceasefire extension announced on Friday following US-mediated talks, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of the truce that was originally implemented in November 2024.

According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, Israeli attacks killed 18 people and wounded 124 others within a 24-hour period. Among the victims were a couple in the southern Lebanese town of Haboush, where Israeli warplanes struck a home in the al-Saha neighborhood. The attack killed Muhammad Hassan Jammoul, a young man, and his wife, Sakina Muhammad Abbas Makki, according to Lebanon's official National News Agency.

Israeli forces continued their operations despite Friday's announcement of the ceasefire extension. Reports indicated that strikes hit multiple towns and villages across the Tyre and Nabatieh districts. Israeli artillery fire near the Sarbin junction in the country's south killed one person and wounded another. The Israeli military had issued evacuation warnings for nine villages before the airstrikes, some located more than 50 kilometers from the border.

Simultaneously with events in Lebanon, Israel announced it had killed Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a targeted strike in Gaza on Friday. In Gaza itself, attacks continued: Israeli air strikes on Gaza City and northern areas of the Gaza Strip killed at least 11 Palestinians and injured more than 60 others over the past 24 hours, according to hospital sources. A separate attack on a vehicle near al-Wahda Tower west of Gaza City killed two people and wounded three others.

The original ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was established in November 2024 after intensive US diplomatic efforts. The agreement was designed to create a pause in fighting between Israeli forces and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia. The 45-day extension was reached after renewed talks between the conflicting parties under American mediation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the extension but simultaneously expressed concern about the ongoing violence.

Since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed on March 2, the confrontations have claimed 2,969 lives and left 9,112 wounded in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. On the Israeli side, the military reported the death of a soldier during combat operations in southern Lebanon on Saturday, bringing total Israeli military losses since the war began in early March to 21 personnel.

The continued attacks despite the ceasefire extension have intensified skepticism among many Lebanese about the effectiveness of the truce. Thousands of residents from southern Lebanon have already fled their homes and are living as internally displaced persons. Israeli forces justify their ongoing operations by citing security concerns and stating they are targeting Hezbollah positions.

The events highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the challenges in implementing peace agreements in the region. While diplomatic efforts to extend the truce are viewed as a positive step, the ongoing military actions reveal deep-seated tensions between the conflicting parties. The international community is watching developments with concern, as an escalation of violence could destabilize the entire region.

The broader context shows escalating violence across multiple fronts. In Gaza, the overall death toll has reached at least 72,757 people killed and 172,645 wounded since October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities. Recent reports indicate that Israeli attacks on Gaza increased by 35% in April, according to conflict monitor ACLED, suggesting an intensification of military operations despite various ceasefire efforts.

The timing of Saturday's attacks, coming so soon after the ceasefire extension announcement, has particularly troubled observers. The fact that three of the six killed in Lebanon were paramedics working at a health facility has drawn additional concern from humanitarian organizations. Such attacks on medical personnel and facilities are considered violations of international humanitarian law.

Looking ahead, it remains unclear whether the extended ceasefire will lead to a permanent de-escalation or if the ongoing attacks will result in further escalation. The coming weeks will test whether diplomatic efforts are sufficient to achieve sustainable de-escalation and pave the way for more comprehensive peace negotiations. The international community, particularly the United States as the primary mediator, faces the challenge of ensuring that ceasefire agreements translate into actual cessation of hostilities on the ground.