At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Friday, local time, including multiple medical workers. The attacks, which hit the Tyre district, are the latest in a string of ongoing clashes that cast doubt on the fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Local sources confirmed six fatalities in the town of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr, among them two paramedics and a child. In a separate strike about 12 kilometers north, in the town of Hannaouiyah, four other paramedics were killed. An attack on the southern city of Nabatieh left one man dead.
Israel also carried out several other airstrikes on southern Lebanon on the same day, targeting four villages in the Tyre district, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Medical Sector Losses
The Israeli military has repeatedly targeted health facilities and personnel in Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of using them to conceal weapons and fighters. The Lebanese government rejects these allegations and reports that since the latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah began in early March, 116 medical workers have been killed, 16 hospitals damaged, and 147 ambulances attacked.
Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine condemned “the systematic destruction targeting the healthcare sector.”
Conflict and Ceasefire Context
Israel resumed fighting with Hezbollah—an Iran-backed militant group—in early March after the group declared support for Tehran. Israeli attacks have since killed at least 2,896 people in Lebanon, wounded more than 8,824, and displaced over 1.6 million, roughly a fifth of the country’s population.
The US-brokered ceasefire took effect in mid-April, marking the first direct diplomatic negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in more than three decades. The truce was extended by 45 days last week, but violence persists and Hezbollah continues to clash with Israel.
In August, the Lebanese government pledged to disarm Hezbollah, but the task has proven extremely difficult. The group retains significant influence in Lebanon and fields a militia stronger than the regular army.
On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on nine individuals linked to Hezbollah, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the remaining individuals work in Lebanon’s parliament, military, and security sectors. The Lebanese army on Friday affirmed its troops’ loyalty, rejecting sanctions that for the first time targeted a military officer accused of sharing information with Hezbollah.
