Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon martyr seven despite ceasefire deal

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have left at least seven people martyred and several others injured, as tensions continue despite an existing ceasefire. 

The attacks, which targeted multiple areas, resulted in the destruction of several homes and ongoing demolition of buildings by Israeli forces, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday. 

According to reports, the Israeli military carried out a series of strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday, stating that it had targeted dozens of positions linked to Hezbollah. 

In an official statement, the military said it had dismantled around 70 military structures and approximately 50 infrastructure sites associated with the group across various areas.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that several areas were hit, with casualties recorded in different locations. 

Among those martyred were three individuals in the town of Sammaiyeh in the Tyre district. Earlier, the Israeli army had issued evacuation warnings for residents in nine villages in the south.

The strikes come despite a fragile ceasefire agreement aimed at halting weeks of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. 

In response, Hezbollah claimed it had targeted several Israeli soldiers, describing the actions as retaliation for continued ceasefire violations. 

AFP reported on Sunday that Israel carried out strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday, its military saying it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets.

The attacks have become a regular occurrence, despite a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war that has seen both sides accuse each other of violations.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it had struck Hezbollah targets, adding that "approximately 70 military structures and approximately 50 Hezbollah infrastructure sites were dismantled across several areas" on Saturday.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) also reported a series of Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon with several killed, including three in the town of Sammaiyeh in the Tyre district.

The Israeli army had earlier issued two evacuation warnings for nine southern villages.

Hezbollah claimed several attacks targeting Israeli troops, saying they were in response to ceasefire "violations".

Israel has kept up deadly strikes on Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire that sought to halt more than six weeks of war between it and Hezbollah.

The ceasefire text grants Israel the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal on Saturday met with visiting US General Joseph Clearfield, the head of a five-member committee in charge of monitoring a 2024 ceasefire meant to put an end to the last war between Israel and Hezbollah.

They discussed "the security situation in Lebanon, regional developments, and ways to maximise the effectiveness of the (committee) and enhance its operations", said a Lebanese army statement.

Israeli strikes have martyred more than 2,600 people in Lebanon and displaced more than a million since Hezbollah drew the country into the Middle East war on March 2 in support of its backer Iran.