Israel yesterday launched a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon, despite the extension of the truce between the two countries.
Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah, but the strikes were preceded by an evacuation warning covering nine villages.
The continuing bombardment has only increased skepticism about the truce among the many thousands of Lebanese driven from their homes in the south.
Photo: Reuters/Stringer
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported strikes on at least five villages, including one more than 50km from the border.
At the same time it reported an new exodus of residents toward Sidon and Beirut.
On Friday, the two countries agreed to extend a ceasefire, which began on April 17, but has been marred by numerous violations, for another 45 days.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to conduct strikes in Lebanon, and its forces are occupying territory near the border.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah regularly claims attacks on northern Israel and against the Israeli military in southern Lebanon.
Israeli attacks since the start of the war have killed more than 2,900 people in Lebanon, including more than 400 since the truce took effect, Lebanese authorities said.
Israel has reported the deaths of 19 soldiers in southern Lebanon since fighting with Hezbollah erupted.
The latest strikes come after envoys from Israel and Lebanon held negotiations in Washington.
They had agreed to extend the ceasefire, but displaced residents said the truce is not being implemented.
“This is not a truce as long as Israeli attacks continue against the south and its people, with deaths, injuries and destruction,” said Ali Salameh, 60, who has been displaced by the fighting.
Others said they backed Hezbollah to keep fighting Israel in retaliation for its attacks.
“What kind of truce is this when they have just threatened villages and people are being displaced? Where is the state? We stand only with the resistance,” said Nawal Mezhir, also displaced from the south.
On Friday, Israel struck the southern city of Tyre.
“They destroyed the entire neighbourhood,” said Ibrahim Kahwaji, a tailor who was wounded in the leg. “They are emptying the south of its population... it’s a real occupation. We want a solution.”
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