An Israeli air strike on a town in southern Lebanon has killed six people, including three paramedics, according to Lebanon's health ministry. It comes as the US said the two countries had agreed to a 45-day ceasefire. The health ministry reported that a fourth paramedic sustained 'critical injuries' after a civil defense center was attacked in the town of Harouf. The BBC has reached out to the Israeli military for a comment.
On Friday, the US state department announced Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their shaky ceasefire following two days of negotiations in Washington DC. US President Donald Trump initially announced the truce on April 16, though hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have persisted.
Additionally, Lebanon's health ministry recently reported that Israeli air strikes killed 22 individuals, including eight children, throughout the southern part of the country.
State department spokesman Tommy Pigott expressed hope that the ongoing discussions will lead to lasting peace and recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity between both nations. The political negotiations are expected to reconvene in June, accompanied by a security track at the Pentagon set for May 29.
Despite the ceasefire, there have been daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel across the Lebanese border. Israel has intensified its military actions in the region, asserting that its operations target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. Lebanon's health ministry has contested these claims, alleging that civilians and paramedics have become targets of Israeli strikes, a statement Israel denies.
The humanitarian impact of the conflict has been severe, with over one million people displaced within Lebanon due to the fighting. As the conflict began on March 2, the toll has already surpassed 2,896 lives lost in Lebanon, while Israel has reported the deaths of 18 soldiers and four civilians.
On Friday, the US state department announced Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their shaky ceasefire following two days of negotiations in Washington DC. US President Donald Trump initially announced the truce on April 16, though hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have persisted.
Additionally, Lebanon's health ministry recently reported that Israeli air strikes killed 22 individuals, including eight children, throughout the southern part of the country.
State department spokesman Tommy Pigott expressed hope that the ongoing discussions will lead to lasting peace and recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity between both nations. The political negotiations are expected to reconvene in June, accompanied by a security track at the Pentagon set for May 29.
Despite the ceasefire, there have been daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel across the Lebanese border. Israel has intensified its military actions in the region, asserting that its operations target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. Lebanon's health ministry has contested these claims, alleging that civilians and paramedics have become targets of Israeli strikes, a statement Israel denies.
The humanitarian impact of the conflict has been severe, with over one million people displaced within Lebanon due to the fighting. As the conflict began on March 2, the toll has already surpassed 2,896 lives lost in Lebanon, while Israel has reported the deaths of 18 soldiers and four civilians.
