Israeli airstrikes hit several locations in southern Lebanon on Thursday, killing at least four civilians and causing significant damage to residential and public infrastructure, despite an ongoing ceasefire, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry and local sources.

The strikes targeted areas in the Nabatieh district and the Bekaa Valley. In the village of Arab Salim, two civilians were killed, one of them an 80-year-old woman. Earlier, two more civilians were killed in the Bekaa Valley districts of Janta and Shmustar, where local reports indicate that schools, homes, businesses, and a mosque were severely damaged.

The Israeli military confirmed the operations, stating they were aimed at Hezbollah targets. In a statement, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the attacks focused on “Hezbollah military infrastructure” and “terrorist installations” in the Hermel mountains, including what it described as training camps and a precision missile production site.

However, the attacks have drawn criticism from local observers who point to the high civilian toll and destruction of non-military sites. These incidents have raised concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

The ongoing hostilities are part of a broader escalation that began in October 2023. According to reports from Lebanon, the conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and has created a severe humanitarian crisis in affected regions.

The international community has repeatedly called for restraint and the protection of civilians, yet the latest strikes underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the persistent threat of violence for communities in southern Lebanon. (ILKHA)