Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed eight people in southern Lebanon, including three rescue workers from the Lebanese civil defence, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The strikes hit the town of Majdal Zoun, where paramedics were trapped under rubble while conducting a rescue mission, and later struck Jebchit and Jwaya, causing additional casualties.
The violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been repeatedly violated since it was announced by US President Donald Trump last week. Both sides trade blame for the breaches, and the latest attacks have drawn sharp condemnation from Lebanese officials.
Civilian Infrastructure Targeted
Lebanon's health ministry reported that in Majdal Zoun, five people were killed, including three paramedics. Later, two more people died and 13 were injured in Jebchit, while a separate strike on Jwaya killed one and wounded 15, among them five children and five women. The Lebanese army also said two of its soldiers were wounded in what it described as a hostile Israeli targeting of an army patrol—the first such incident since the truce began.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon and will withdraw from the south only when Hezbollah and other militant groups are dismantled. However, he did not comment on the ceasefire's future or whether operations might expand beyond southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the attack on Majdal Zoun, saying, "Israel continues to violate international laws and conventions that protect civilians." Amnesty International also urged Israel to stop destroying civilian property in southern Lebanon, citing a video showing Israeli military excavators demolishing solar panels and a water station in the border village of Debel. The group has called for reparations and war crimes investigations, but so far none have materialised.
Tunnel Network Destroyed
Israel's military announced it had destroyed two Hezbollah tunnels in Qantara, stretching two kilometres and built over approximately a decade. The tunnels, described as a massive underground military installation, were equipped with sleeping quarters, showers, and assembly halls, and ran under civilian infrastructure including a school and a mosque. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue targeting Hezbollah's infrastructure, while Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army has been instructed to destroy any such facilities, "just like in Gaza."
The conflict, which began on 2 March when Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israel, has exacted a heavy toll. Lebanon's health ministry reported that the death toll has reached 2,534, with 7,863 wounded since the war began. The ongoing violence raises questions about the viability of the ceasefire and the broader stability of the region, particularly as European nations monitor the situation closely.
For context, the European Union has repeatedly called for restraint and adherence to international law. The recent escalation also comes amid other regional tensions, such as the Ukraine-Israel dispute over grain shipments and the UN's consideration of a post-UNIFIL presence in Lebanon. As the situation evolves, European policymakers will be watching for any spillover effects that could impact the continent's security and diplomatic interests.
