Israeli Strikes Kill 13 in Southern Lebanon

Thirty-two others were injured in the strikes. Hezbollah stated it targeted a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiers in al-Bayada with artillery shells, achieving confirmed hits. The group also claimed strikes on Israeli soldiers in al-Qantara. The Israeli military shared video of strikes targeting what it described as Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon and announced it destroyed a town's soccer stadium after discovering it was booby-trapped.

The strikes occurred despite a 10-day ceasefire that took effect on April 17, 2026, and was later extended. Lebanon's National News Agency reported additional Israeli airstrikes on towns including al-Sama’iya in Tyre district, where three people were killed, as well as Adshit, Yohmor al-Shaqif, Majdal Selm in Marjayoun district, Burj Qalawiya in Bint Jbeil district, Mount Rihan, Basaliya, and al-Sarira in Jezzine area.

Artillery shelling targeted Yohmor al-Shaqif and areas near a mosque in al-Samaiya. The Israeli army reported damaging a religious building in Yaroun while dismantling what it called terrorist infrastructure, stating there were no visible signs it was religious and that troops prevented further damage once identified.

It cited Hezbollah rocket attacks from the compound as justification for operations in the area. A Catholic charity condemned the action as deliberate targeting of a place of worship, identified as a convent. Israeli forces also set fire to houses in the border village of Khiam.

Iran presented a 14-point plan to the US to end the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, according to Iranian media. The plan includes guarantees of non-aggression, US force withdrawal from Iran's vicinity, lifting of the naval blockade, release of frozen assets, sanction relief, and a 30-day resolution timeline.

This follows a US nine-point proposal requesting a two-month ceasefire deadline. ” This was no verbal slip. It was a direct and damning admission of the criminal nature of their actions against international…" — Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, May 2, 2026 (AJEnglish).

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the US admission of acting like pirates in seizing Iranian vessels is evidence of criminal actions against international maritime navigation. He called on the UN and international community to reject such violations.

The US has redirected 48 vessels from Iranian ports during the blockade, up from 44 reported earlier. com, though production continues for storage and refined products.

Minister Antonio Tajani discussed Middle East tensions with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, expressing concern over escalation and urging prevention of an Iranian military nuclear program. Tajani also called on Iran to influence Hezbollah to halt attacks on Israel and achieve peace in Lebanon through negotiation.

Iranian and French foreign ministers discussed war developments, with Iran briefing on efforts to end the conflict and France supporting diplomatic talks for lasting peace. Ziad Abu-Rish, associate professor of human rights and Middle Eastern studies at Bard College, stated that the US and Israel have vetoed development of Lebanon's armed forces, leaving Hezbollah as the primary defense against Israeli aggression.

" — Ziad Abu-Rish, associate professor at Bard College, May 2, 2026 (AJEnglish). Lebanon's health system faces strain from treating war injuries and sheltering displaced people, with hospitals in the south accommodating staff to remain operational. MSF doctor Thienminh Dinh reported that chronic patients, including those with heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer, are neglected as resources shift to trauma care.

The death toll in Lebanon from two months of Israeli attacks reached 2,659, with 8,183 injured, according to the health ministry. In related developments, the Lebanese army met with US General Joseph Clearfield, chief of the US-led ceasefire monitoring committee, and Lebanese army commander General Rodolphe Haykal.

Separately, Israeli forces killed seven in Gaza over the past 24 hours, bringing the total since October 7, 2023, to 72,608, with 828 killed since a ceasefire announcement last October.