Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported at least three people were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting vehicles in southern Lebanon. The Israeli drone strikes early Monday hit three vehicles on the Kafr Rumman-Jarmaq highway and the Jarmaq-Khardali road in the Nabatieh district.
Israel subsequently ordered residents of 10 villages to evacuate immediately. In a social media post, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said Israeli forces were "forced to act with force" due to "Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire agreement." Adraee urged residents to "evacuate homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters to open areas" in villages mostly located in southern Lebanon: Nabatieh al-Tahta, al-Louizeh, Sajd, Ain Qana, Harouf, Zibdin, Kfar Reman, Doueir, Adshit al-Shaqif and Maydun.
In the southern city of Tyre, NNA reported an Israeli attack destroyed two houses in the municipality of Arzoun. Rescue teams were at the scene evacuating the wounded. Additionally, the towns of al-Mansouri, Siddiqin, Zibqin, Qlayaa, Yohmor al-Shaqif, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and al-Haniya also came under attack.
Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr reported from Beirut that Israeli drones appeared over the Lebanese capital for a second consecutive day. "The incessant noise of Israeli drones over central Beirut and the southern suburbs of the capital ... flying at low altitude," she said.
According to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, more than 3,000 people have been killed since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah resumed on March 2.
The Israeli military announced a soldier was killed in southern Lebanon amid continued clashes with Hezbollah. Another soldier was wounded in the incident. According to Israeli media, the casualties resulted from a Hezbollah drone attack. In total, 23 Israeli soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed since fighting resumed.
Despite a US-brokered "ceasefire" that took effect on April 17 and was later extended to early July, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and Beirut have continued.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon a "non-negotiable" demand. Speaking at a ceremony marking the 2000 Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, Aoun stressed: "This year, the liberation anniversary comes as Lebanon is immersed in a painful reality. Israeli attacks have not stopped, and our dear southern villages are still suffering under a new occupation."
Lebanon and Israel began historic US-mediated talks last month and are preparing for a fourth round in early June, with a meeting between military delegations at the Pentagon on May 29. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated the group's opposition to direct talks with Israel and refused to disarm.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the US- and Israel-launched war against Iran also focus on ending the war in Lebanon.
