Israeli strikes kill 13 in southern Lebanon, including paramedics, as ceasefire erodes
Primary region Middle East
Tags Security · Diplomacy
Regions Middle East
Israeli airstrikes killed at least 13 people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, including two paramedics from the Lebanese Civil Defense struck during a rescue mission in Nabatieh. The IDF said it hit roughly 45 Hezbollah positions, accusing Hezbollah of violating the April ceasefire. Since the ceasefire began on April 17, 380 people have been killed in Lebanon, bringing the overall toll to 2,869 since March 2. Hezbollah launched retaliatory drone and rocket attacks. Lebanon and Israel are due to hold direct talks in Washington on Thursday and Friday.
Strategic interpretation
Israel is using the ceasefire's ambiguity to systematically degrade Hezbollah's military infrastructure before Washington talks, seeking maximum leverage at the negotiating table. Hezbollah's refusal to disarm signals the group views its arsenal as non-negotiable, setting up a fundamental clash at the Thursday-Friday Washington talks.