Attack on the town of Toul in Nabatieh district comes amid persistent Israeli operations in the south, as the fragile regional situation remains tense following recent escalations involving Iran and the broader Middle East conflict.
At least three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the town of Toul in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh district on Saturday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state media.
The strike hit a two-storey building, leaving the victims dead on the spot. Reports indicate that among the casualties was at least one paramedic, with three others, including another emergency worker, wounded in the attack.
Rescue teams and local residents were seen searching through the rubble of destroyed buildings and burnt-out vehicles in the aftermath, as images from the scene showed widespread destruction in a residential area.
Persistent Violence Despite Ceasefire Agreement:
The incident is the latest in a series of Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, which have continued even after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect earlier this month. While the truce between Israel and Hezbollah has largely held along the border, Israeli forces have maintained what they describe as “defensive operations” targeting alleged militant infrastructure and weapons caches.
Lebanese officials and Hezbollah have repeatedly condemned the strikes as violations of the ceasefire agreement, accusing Israel of using pretexts to maintain pressure on the group and the civilian population in the south.
The Israeli military has not immediately commented on the specific strike in Toul, but in previous similar incidents it has stated that operations are conducted against “terrorist targets” posing a threat to its northern communities.
Lebanon Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 2,000:
Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported that the overall death toll from the latest round of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified last month, has now surpassed 2,000. Saturday’s strike adds to a growing list of civilian and first-responder casualties in the south.
Residents in affected villages have expressed frustration over the repeated attacks, which have displaced thousands and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and farmland. Many families have been forced to flee northward or live in precarious conditions near the border.
Lebanon Airstrike Deepens Regional Tensions:
The airstrike comes against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including recent US-Iran talks that collapsed and the subsequent imposition of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Analysts say the fragile stability in southern Lebanon remains vulnerable to any wider escalation involving Iran-backed groups.
International calls for restraint have increased, with the United Nations and several European countries urging both sides to fully respect the ceasefire and avoid actions that could reignite full-scale fighting.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office condemned the strike as “a blatant violation” and called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt its operations in the south.
As rescue efforts continue and funerals are prepared for the victims, the incident underscores the precarious nature of the current truce and the ongoing suffering of communities in southern Lebanon caught in the crossfire of regional rivalries.