20 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon

Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed 20 people on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest periods since a ceasefire began just over two weeks ago. Lebanon's health ministry reported that the attacks brought the death toll to 77 since Thursday. Smoke billowed from villages in the region as Israel targeted Hezbollah positions.

Israel stated that it targeted Hezbollah in the attacks, accusing the group of firing hundreds of rockets and drones. The Lebanese casualty figures include two children among the dead and 14 children among the injured. During the same period, 17 Israeli soldiers have been killed, according to Israel.

Hezbollah carried out drone strikes on Israeli soldiers in Naqoura, near the Israeli border in southern Lebanon, and fired rockets at troops in Qantara in the southeast. The group described these attacks as retaliation for Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanese villages. Hezbollah also conducted earlier strikes using artillery and kamikaze drones.

Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents in several villages to move at least 1km from their homes on Monday. The villages are located outside the yellow line, a strip of Israeli-occupied territory extending roughly 10km from the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Israel continues to operate against threats in the yellow line area, maintaining that the ceasefire agreement permits it to act against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.

Lebanese officials accuse Israel of repeated violations of the ceasefire. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated on Monday morning that direct negotiations are a free concession without results, serving the interests of Netanyahu who seeks a symbolic image of victory, and serving US President Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections.

He rejected a ceasefire and stated fighters will resist Israeli military buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the growing threat posed by Hezbollah's drone capabilities and warned that it will take time to address. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called on Israel to fully implement the ceasefire before any further negotiations.

Rounds of talks between Israel and Lebanon occurred in the US, marking the first direct ambassador-level contact in decades, but produced no tangible results on the ground.

More than 2,600 people have been killed in Lebanon since 2 March when the latest fighting began, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Fewer than 1,000 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since 2 March, a Hezbollah member said.