Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least five people, including a journalist, in attacks that have further strained an already fragile ceasefire.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), an initial strike targeted a vehicle in the village of at-Tiri, killing two occupants. The Israeli military said it had struck two vehicles that departed from a structure it described as being used by the armed group Hezbollah.
A subsequent air strike on a building in the same village resulted in the death of Amal Khalil, a journalist with local media outlet Al Akhbar. Khalil had travelled to the scene of the earlier attack alongside colleague Zeinab Faraj. Both journalists were caught in the second strike, with Khalil later confirmed dead after being trapped under rubble.
Faraj was rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition and is expected to undergo surgery.
Reports indicate that emergency responders, including the Red Cross, faced significant delays in accessing the site due to continued air strikes in the area. NNA further reported that a key access road linking at-Tiri to Haddatha was hit, hindering ambulance movement.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health accused Israel of targeting the building where the journalists had taken shelter, while Information Minister Paul Morcos condemned the incident, holding Israel responsible and calling for the protection of journalists and press freedom.
In response, the Israeli military stated that it does not target journalists and takes measures to minimise harm to civilians, while also denying allegations that it blocked rescue operations.
Elsewhere in southern Lebanon, two additional fatalities were reported following a separate strike on the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif, with several others wounded.
The escalation comes amid renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. The group said it launched a drone attack on an Israeli artillery position in response to what it described as ceasefire violations. Israel, however, said it intercepted the drone before it reached its target.
Tensions have remained high since clashes resumed on March 2, ending a period of relative calm that followed a November 2024 ceasefire. Since then, more than 2,400 people have reportedly been killed in Lebanon, with Israeli forces maintaining a presence along parts of the border.
The latest violence coincides with planned diplomatic talks in Washington involving Lebanese and Israeli representatives, as Lebanon seeks an extension of a 10-day ceasefire brokered by the United States.
Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of a second French soldier wounded in an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon last week. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said preliminary findings suggested the attack originated from non-state actors, though Hezbollah has denied involvement.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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