At least seven people were killed in Israeli air attacks across southern Lebanon on Sunday, prompting President Joseph Aoun to appeal to the United States and the international community for help ending the violence. The strikes came despite a ceasefire reached in June and a framework deal meant to halt the fighting.
Two women were killed in an attack on Arab Salim, while two others died in a strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Additional casualties were reported across several towns as the Israeli military struck villages in the country’s south.
Israel said it had targeted Hezbollah operatives and sites in response to a drone attack a day earlier by the Iran-backed group on its troops near a strategic ridge in south Lebanon. It reported no casualties from that incident and accused Hezbollah of a “blatant violation” of the truce.
Aoun urged Washington to press for an end to the attacks, which have continued in the months since the ceasefire took effect. The Lebanese leader framed the appeal as an effort to preserve the framework agreement rather than see it collapse.
The renewed bombardment fits a pattern of cross-border exchanges that have persisted despite the truce. Earlier in the year, Israeli forces intensified operations targeting Hezbollah positions, drawing international concern over rising civilian tolls.
Since 2023, nearly 9,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to figures compiled by Lebanese health authorities. Medical workers have been among the casualties, with 179 attacks on ambulance crews recorded since March 2 and 179 healthcare workers killed.
The June ceasefire was intended to end months of hostilities that displaced tens of thousands and damaged towns across the border region. Both sides have accused the other of breaching its terms, with Israel citing Hezbollah drone and rocket activity and Lebanon pointing to continued airstrikes and the destruction of villages.
Israeli forces have demolished structures in several southern communities in recent operations, actions Beirut describes as violations of the agreement. The framework deal linked to the truce was designed to draw Hezbollah forces back from the border and place Lebanese army units in the area.
Aoun’s outreach to Washington represents Beirut’s latest attempt to enlist outside pressure. The United States helped broker the June understanding and has retained a mediating role between the two sides.