Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon and areas near the Syrian border killed at least 20 people despite an existing ceasefire agreement, raising fears of renewed regional escalation.
Lebanese security and medical sources reported that several strikes targeted towns and border regions in southern Lebanon, with explosions also reported near the Syria-Lebanon border. Rescue teams were deployed to affected areas as damage and casualties continued to emerge following the attacks.
Lebanese officials accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and increasing instability through continued military operations inside Lebanese territory. The strikes came amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah linked to the wider conflict in Gaza.
Israel claimed the attacks targeted Hezbollah positions and security threats near the border, arguing the operations were necessary to prevent future attacks. Hezbollah-affiliated media also reported intensified Israeli drone activity before the strikes were carried out.
The latest attacks have increased concerns that the conflict could expand further across the region, with repeated ceasefire violations threatening to reignite wider fighting between Israel and armed groups operating in Lebanon and Syria.
