In brief
Following a recent Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including three paramedics, the U.S. has confirmed a 45-day extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The air strike targeted a civil defense center in Harouf, raising significant concerns about civilian safety as hostilities continue despite diplomatic efforts for peace.
An Israeli air strike on a town in southern Lebanon has killed six people, including three paramedics, according to Lebanon's health ministry. It comes as the US said the two countries had agreed to a 45-day ceasefire. The health ministry reported that a fourth paramedic sustained 'critical injuries' after a civil defence centre was attacked in the town of Harouf. The BBC has contacted the Israeli military for comment.On Friday, the US state department announced Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their shaky ceasefire after two days of negotiations in Washington DC. US President Donald Trump announced the truce on 16 April, but Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire since then.On Wednesday, Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli air strikes had killed 22 people, including eight children, across the south. State department spokesman Tommy Pigott expressed hope that discussions would advance lasting peace, full recognition of each other's sovereignty, and establishing genuine security along their shared border.The state department plans to reconvene the political negotiations in June and launch a security track at the Pentagon on May 29 with military delegations from both countries. Israel's Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, characterized the talks as 'frank and constructive'.Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam hopes to mobilize regional and international support for his country in negotiations with Israel. Reports indicate ongoing exchanges of fire by Hezbollah and Israeli forces since the ceasefire began, as Israel escalates attacks in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.Lebanon’s health ministry accused Israel of intentionally targeting civilians and paramedics, a claim Israel denies. The Israeli military stated it aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further Hezbollah attacks.As a result of the ongoing conflict, more than one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, particularly from southern regions known for Hezbollah's presence. The conflict started on 2 March after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, which prompted Hezbollah to retaliate. Since then, casualties have escalated, with Lebanon reporting at least 2,896 deaths against Israel’s reported 22 fatalities.
