Arabic version: الغارات الجوية الإسرائيلية تودي بحياة 18 شخصًا في جنوب لبنان
Israeli strikes have killed at least 18 people across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. This escalation comes as the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah continues to intensify, with the total death toll now exceeding 2,000 since the war began on March 2, 2026. The Health Ministry of Lebanon reported that strikes on a village near Sidon killed at least eight people and wounded nine others.
Earlier, it said that at least 10 people, including three emergency workers, had been killed in Israeli strikes in the Nabatieh district. The latest figures from the Health Ministry reveal that at least 2,020 people have died and over 6,436 have been injured since the conflict escalated, which began with Hezbollah’s rocket fire at Israel in support of Iran.
On the Israeli side, media reports indicated that two soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade were injured during clashes with Hezbollah on Saturday. The soldiers sustained moderate injuries from shrapnel, highlighting the ongoing violence in the region.
The situation remains tense as Hezbollah has reiterated its opposition to direct negotiations with Israel intended to resolve the conflict. Protests in Beirut saw hundreds gather in support of Hezbollah, opposing any talks with Israel. Demonstrators expressed their views against collaboration with Israel, emphasizing a strong national sentiment against perceived compromises.
In the backdrop of the violence, discussions are set to take place next week in Washington involving officials from Lebanon, Israel, and the United States to discuss a potential ceasefire and negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that any peace agreement must ensure Hezbollah’s disarmament and endure for future generations.
According to Al Jazeera, the situation remains fluid as regional dynamics shift, particularly following a recent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, which has raised questions about its applicability to the ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon.
