Israeli strikes kill 24 in southern Lebanon as ceasefire dispute continues

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon killed 24 people over the past 24 hours, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Thursday, as strikes hit at least 52 towns and areas across the country's south. The deadliest strike targeted a residential building in the southern town of Zrariyeh, killing 10 people, including women and children, Lebanon's state news agency said.

Casualties across the south

Seven more people were killed in a separate attack on Abbassiyeh, and three more were killed and five injured in Jibsheet. In Borj Qallawiyeh, four paramedics were killed in an Israeli strike that also destroyed homes, shops, a mosque, and a civil defense center. Israeli attacks also hit dozens of towns and villages across southern Lebanon, including Bint Jbeil, Khiam, Tyre Debba, Bazouriyeh, Kafra, Harouf, Tebnine, and Touline.

Beirut strikes

In Beirut, Israeli warplanes struck the Shiyyah area in the southern suburb for the second time within hours. The attacks came as the Israeli army continued its widened assault on Lebanon since Wednesday, killing over 303 people and injuring 1,150 others, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.

Ceasefire dispute

The offensive continued despite a two-week ceasefire announced Tuesday by the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, as part of efforts to reach a broader agreement to halt the conflict. While Islamabad and Tehran said the ceasefire includes Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv denied that. The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.