Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon Killing Four Amid Extended Ceasefire with Hezbollah

Israeli forces carried out strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing at least four people, according to Lebanon's state news agency. The attacks targeted a truck and a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif in the Nabatieh district. These actions occurred north of the Litani River, where Israel has declared its operational area.

The strikes come amid an extended ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on April 16, 2026, initially for 10 days and later prolonged by three weeks. Multiple sources report ongoing violations, including Hezbollah launching projectiles and drones toward northern Israel, and Israeli responses.

and Responses Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu ordered the military to attack Hezbollah vigorously in southern Lebanon on Saturday afternoon. In response to earlier incidents, the Israeli military stated it had eliminated six Hezbollah fighters near Bint Jbeil. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad stated that the ceasefire is meaningless due to Israel's hostile acts and that Hezbollah retains the right to retaliate.

Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri warned that Israeli forces maintaining positions in southern Lebanon would face resistance if they do not withdraw. He told a Lebanese newspaper that Lebanon could not tolerate losing any land and that occupation would lead to daily resistance.

Sources indicate uncertainty about whether the U.S. will act on this request. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire extension on Thursday and expressed optimism about a path toward peace. Within Lebanon, there are divisions on the ceasefire and potential talks.

Lebanese Christians support talks and formal relations with Israel, according to a source in a Lebanese-Christian party. The source noted that Hezbollah must not be allowed to create divisions and highlighted Israel's repair of a damaged Jesus statue as an important message to Christians.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are attempting to align Nabih Berri to isolate Hezbollah, reports state. However, Hezbollah and Berri remain the main obstacles to progress, with Berri allied to the Shi'ite Amal Movement.

and Ongoing Hostilities Displaced

Lebanese families in cities like Sidon remain skeptical of the extended truce, citing ongoing strikes and mistrust. One displaced resident, Huda Kamal Mansour from Aitaroun village, described fleeing bombardment and tanks surrounding her area, with Israeli forces leaving no houses standing.

“There was zero distance between us and the Israeli army when they attacked southern Lebanon. All I could hear was the sound of explosions hitting villages.”

Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported that attacks since March 2, 2026, have killed 2,496 people and wounded 7,719. Analysts note that the ceasefire has not halted hostilities and may have been intended more to target Hezbollah than to achieve lasting peace.

Security affairs analyst Ali Rizk in Beirut stated that the arrangement lacks substance and is seen as an attempt to dismantle Hezbollah. He added that Hezbollah parliamentarians view the ceasefire as not concerning them. Reports also mention Israeli soldiers blowing up buildings in Bint Jbeil and bombings in Khiam, including residential areas.

A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that Jewish Israeli respondents largely supported continuing the conflict, even if it caused friction with the U.S. Lebanese leadership has rejected using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in potential U.S.-Israel negotiations with Iran.