Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck more than 30 locations across southern and eastern regions of the country, marking one of the largest waves of attacks since the latest ceasefire arrangement took effect in April.
The strikes resulted in at least two deaths, according to Lebanese authorities, while multiple civilian facilities and residential areas also sustained heavy damage. Lebanon’s civil defense agency said one of its regional centers in Nabatieh was completely destroyed during the bombardment.
The latest escalation comes as diplomatic efforts continue under United States mediation to preserve and potentially extend the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group operating in Lebanon.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since the beginning of the conflict has reached 3,123 people. Thousands more have reportedly been injured, while widespread destruction has displaced large numbers of civilians across southern Lebanon.
A day before Sunday’s assault, Lebanese officials recorded 11 fatalities, including women and children, following attacks near the town of Sir al-Gharbiyeh. The continued civilian casualties have intensified criticism from Lebanese authorities and humanitarian organizations, who accuse Israel of violating ceasefire understandings.
Despite the truce that began on April 17 and was later extended, the Israeli military has continued carrying out operations targeting what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure, weapons depots, and military positions inside Lebanon.
Israeli officials argue the operations are necessary to eliminate threats posed by Hezbollah fighters stationed near the border area. Tel Aviv has repeatedly stated that it reserves the right to continue military action as long as Hezbollah maintains armed operations against Israeli territory and military forces.
Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir defended the latest military campaign and reiterated that protecting Israeli citizens remained the country’s primary objective.
“We continue striking Hezbollah in all dimensions while the security of civilians and the safety of our troops remain our highest priority,” Zamir said in a statement released following the attacks.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has also continued launching attacks against Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon and military targets across the border. The group says its actions are part of a broader resistance campaign linked to regional tensions involving Iran and Israel.
The conflict escalated significantly after Hezbollah launched attacks following reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during earlier regional hostilities. Since then, cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have intensified, dragging Lebanon deeper into the broader Middle East conflict.
Although international mediators have pushed for de-escalation, Israel has signaled that it will continue targeting any group or infrastructure it considers a threat to national security.
The latest airstrikes also come amid renewed diplomatic negotiations involving Lebanon and Israel under American supervision. Lebanese officials confirmed that preparations are underway for a fourth round of indirect talks expected to take place in June.
The negotiations are primarily focused on maintaining the ceasefire framework, reducing border tensions, and preventing a wider regional war. However, repeated military operations by both sides have complicated efforts to secure a lasting agreement.
Regional analysts warn that continued violence risks undermining ongoing diplomatic initiatives, particularly as tensions between Iran, Israel, and their respective allies remain highly volatile.
The humanitarian situation inside Lebanon has also worsened as infrastructure damage continues to accumulate. Several towns in southern Lebanon have experienced repeated bombardments, forcing residents to flee and placing additional strain on already fragile public services.
Emergency response teams and civil defense units have struggled to operate effectively due to the scale of destruction and ongoing security threats. Lebanese officials said rescue operations in some affected areas were delayed because of continued aerial activity.
The destruction of the civil defense facility in Nabatieh has further complicated emergency response capabilities in southern Lebanon. Authorities said the facility played a key role in assisting civilians during previous attacks and natural disasters.
International humanitarian organizations have urged all parties to respect international law and protect civilian infrastructure amid growing concerns about the rising human cost of the conflict.
The United Nations and several foreign governments have repeatedly called for restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilize the region and trigger broader military confrontations beyond Lebanon’s borders.
Despite ceasefire mechanisms remaining technically in place, observers note that the continued exchanges of fire demonstrate the fragility of the current arrangement.
Israel maintains that Hezbollah’s military presence near the border remains unacceptable, while Hezbollah insists it will continue resisting Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
The ongoing hostilities have also created uncertainty for diplomatic efforts led by Washington, which has attempted to balance regional security concerns with broader negotiations involving Iran and its allies.
For many Lebanese civilians living near the border, hopes for stability remain uncertain as air raid sirens, drone activity, and repeated explosions continue to disrupt daily life.
With another round of negotiations expected next month, regional leaders now face mounting pressure to prevent the Israel-Hezbollah conflict from spiraling into a wider war that could engulf more countries across the Middle East.
