Israeli attacks in Lebanon kill 39, target Hezbollah amid ongoing clashes

Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of 39 people, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. The attacks on Saturday affected various parts of Lebanon, with Israeli forces targeting the southern city of Saksakieh, where at least seven people, including a young girl, were killed. Other areas also experienced widespread assaults leading to casualties.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their operations targeted the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. They acknowledged awareness of harm to innocent civilians. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government on April 16, clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continue.

Most Israeli airstrikes are concentrated in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military claims to be targeting Hezbollah-related infrastructure and individuals. Hezbollah is a military and political group supported by Iran. On Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported Israeli attacks in the southern region, particularly in Saksakieh.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was reached in November 2024. However, Israel has continued almost daily attacks on targets associated with Hezbollah since then.

Following an attack by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Hezbollah retaliated on March 2 with rocket and drone strikes on Israel. In response, Israel launched extensive air raids on Lebanon. At the beginning of March, Israeli forces re-entered southern Lebanon, destroying villages and occupying approximately 10 kilometers of Lebanese territory.

Since March 2, a total of 2,795 people have died in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Israeli officials report that 17 soldiers and one civilian have been killed in southern Lebanon, while two civilians have died in northern Israel.