Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut
Beirut, May 16: Israel launched a fresh series of air strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, a day after both countries agreed to extend their ceasefire arrangement for another 45 days following talks held in Washington.
According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, Israeli strikes targeted at least five villages in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli military issued new displacement orders for residents of nine villages near Sidon and Nabatieh, including Qaaqaaiyet, al-Snoubar, Kaouthariyet al-Saiyad, al-Marwaniyah and al-Ghassaniyah.
Israeli warplanes also carried out air strikes on the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif on Saturday morning. Heavy artillery shelling was additionally reported in Kfar Tebnit, Arnoun and along the Arnoun-Kfar Tebnit road.
The Israeli military claimed it had targeted “Hezbollah infrastructure sites in several areas in southern Lebanon.”
The latest escalation comes after envoys from Israel and Lebanon held negotiations in Washington following the first direct talks between the two sides in decades last month. The two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations.
Hezbollah has opposed the negotiations, particularly as Israeli forces have continued strikes and maintained positions in parts of southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire arrangement that officially took effect on April 17.
However, Lebanon’s negotiating delegation welcomed the extension of the truce. In a statement, the Lebanese presidency said the extension and the US-facilitated security track would provide “critical breathing space” for citizens, strengthen state institutions and support efforts towards long-term stability.
Reporting from Tyre in southern Lebanon, Obaida Hitto said the ceasefire remained ineffective on the ground, noting that artillery strikes continued in eastern regions including Yohmor and Kherbet Qanafar.
He also said that even as the ceasefire extension was being announced by the US State Department, Israel had simultaneously issued evacuation orders for buildings in Tyre.
Residents in southern Lebanon remain worried about further escalation, with many fearing increased attacks similar to those witnessed during the earlier phase of the ceasefire period.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,900 people in Lebanon since the conflict began, including over 500 deaths reported after the ceasefire came into effect.