Beirut: Seven people, including two medics, were killed Monday in Israeli airstrikes targeting towns in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. One individual lost their life when an Israeli aircraft hit a house in Kfarsir, as reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
According to Anadolu Agency, the tragedy intensified when an ambulance from the Islamic Health Authority arrived at the bombed site. Israeli aircraft struck the same location again, resulting in the deaths of two paramedics and injuring another. In the Marjayoun district, Israeli fighter jets targeted the town of Qantara, leaving four people dead, including two children, as per a preliminary toll released by Lebanon's Health Ministry.
NNA further reported that the Israeli army imposed movement restrictions in villages and towns within the Bint Jbeil district by targeting several secondary roads connected to main routes, particularly in the Wadi al-Hujeir area. Earlier on Monday, Israeli warplanes attacked the area near the Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas Mosque in Nabatieh's Old Saraya neighborhood, causing significant damage.
Additional airstrikes targeted areas between the towns of Yater and Beit Lif, as well as Khiam and Sultaniyah, according to Lebanese media. These attacks followed an Israeli warning issued two days prior, indicating the potential targeting of medical facilities and ambulances in Lebanon, on the grounds of alleged military use by Hezbollah.
On Saturday, Israeli strikes targeted a healthcare center in southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 12 medical personnel, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed early Monday that the army had initiated a ground offensive in Lebanon.
The Israeli army expanded airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, on March 2, following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah amid rising regional tensions in the wake of a joint offensive by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran. Lebanese health authorities reported that the Israeli attacks have caused at least 850 deaths, including 66 women and 107 children, injured 2,105 others, and displaced over 830,000 people.
Israel maintains occupation of areas in southern Lebanon, with some regions held for decades and others seized during the most recent conflict between October 2023 and November 2024.