Lebanon: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Sunday condemned renewed Israeli attacks on the southern city of Nabatieh and surrounding towns, stating that the targeting of state institutions and health facilities marks a 'dangerous escalation.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Aoun's statement, posted on the Lebanese presidency's account on US social media company X, highlighted the civilian casualties inflicted by the attacks, which severely damaged a Finance Ministry building and destroyed Ghandour Hospital. He criticized the strikes as going beyond repeated violations of the cessation-of-hostilities arrangement and the framework agreement, pointing out that they targeted Lebanese state institutions, public service facilities, a hospital, and health centers.

Aoun further accused Israel of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the functioning of Lebanese institutions and the services they provide to the public. He emphasized that the attack on the Finance Ministry building, following an earlier assault on a State Security center that resulted in fatalities, displayed "a continuing pattern" of targeting civilian government and health facilities.

The Lebanese president held Israel fully accountable for the ongoing escalation and urged the United States and the international community to take immediate action to stop the attacks and hold those responsible accountable. He reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to preserving its sovereignty, ensuring stability in the south, and safeguarding its citizens.

The president's remarks followed a series of Israeli airstrikes on Nabatieh and surrounding areas on Sunday, which killed four people and injured 20 others, according to a preliminary toll from the Lebanese Health Ministry. The ministry reported that the strikes completely destroyed Ghandour Hospital in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and stated that 17 hospitals across Lebanon have been damaged by Israeli strikes since March 2, with three hospitals in southern Lebanon rendered inoperative.

These attacks occurred despite a US-sponsored framework agreement signed on June 26, which outlines a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in return for the deployment of the Lebanese army. Since March 2, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have resulted in 4,358 deaths, 12,359 injuries, and the displacement of over 1 million people, according to Lebanese authorities.