Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut
Beirut, May 16: Three paramedics were killed and another seriously injured in an airstrike in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing tensions and renewed diplomatic efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire, officials and reports said.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the strike hit a civil defence centre operated by the Islamic Health Authority in the town of Harouf, completely destroying the facility. The ministry accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law by targeting medical and rescue personnel.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the broader conflict as one “imposed on Lebanon,” warning that the country is facing its most severe crisis since independence. He urged stronger Arab and international support for Lebanon’s diplomatic efforts, cautioning that continued instability is accelerating economic decline, youth emigration and the weakening of key sectors such as education and healthcare.
The latest escalation comes amid continued hostilities in southern Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has persisted despite attempts to stabilise the situation. The current phase of conflict reportedly intensified after March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel following heightened regional tensions, prompting Israeli airstrikes and a ground response in parts of Lebanon.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to be gaining momentum. A spokesperson for the US State Department said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire arrangement by 45 days to allow further progress in negotiations.
The extension is intended to build on the April 16 cessation of hostilities agreement, according to US officials. Talks are also scheduled to continue, with political negotiations expected at the US State Department on June 2–3, while military-level discussions are planned at the Pentagon on May 29.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott described recent rounds of talks between the two sides as “highly productive,” noting progress in both political and security channels.
Despite the ceasefire framework, clashes on the ground have continued. Hezbollah has claimed attacks on Israeli drones, military positions, bulldozers and armoured vehicles in southern Lebanon, indicating that tensions remain high even as diplomatic negotiations proceed.