"After the 'Extended Ceasefire,' Israel Launches Large-Scale Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon"
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 17 - Israel and Lebanon have announced an "extension of the ceasefire," but artillery fire continues in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military conducted large-scale airstrikes in southern Lebanon on the 16th, claiming that the operation targeted Hezbollah, and issued evacuation orders to several villages in Lebanon before the airstrikes.
According to the Lebanese National News Agency, the Israeli military attacked more than 20 villages in southern Lebanon on the 16th, including one village located 50 kilometers from the border, forcing a large number of residents to flee.
In a statement released on the 16th, the Israeli military said that an Israeli commander was killed in an attack on the 15th. According to Israeli media reports, a drone from Hezbollah struck Israeli forces operating in the "security buffer zone" near the Litani River in southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of one commander and injuring another Israeli soldier.
Later on the evening of the 16th, Hezbollah stated that it launched a drone strike against a military target in northern Israel and attacked Israeli personnel operating in a village in southern Lebanon.
In the Tyre area of southern Lebanon, which has frequently been targeted by Israeli attacks, ruins are visible everywhere. Ibrahim Kawaji, a resident injured in the attacks, told AFP that the Israeli military destroyed entire blocks, aiming to drive all residents out of southern Lebanon to implement their occupation.
Under U.S. mediation, a temporary ceasefire began on April 17 between Israel and Lebanon for a duration of 10 days, and U.S. President Trump announced on the 23rd of the same month that the ceasefire would be extended for three weeks. On May 15, the Lebanese side stated that progress had been made in the third round of talks held in Washington among Lebanon, the U.S., and Israel, with all parties agreeing to extend the ceasefire for another 45 days.
Since the ceasefire took effect, the Israeli military has conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon almost daily, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, and has dismantled and destroyed "Hezbollah military infrastructure" in the areas of southern Lebanon it occupies. Data released by the Lebanese Ministry of Health on the 15th indicated that since the resumption of hostilities on March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in 2,951 deaths and 8,988 injuries. (Chen Lixi)
On May 16, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted large-scale airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah. This action followed the announcement of an extended ceasefire. The strikes affected over 20 villages, forcing many residents to flee. A commander of the IDF was killed by a Hezbollah drone strike the previous day, prompting these retaliatory airstrikes. Since the conflict reignited on March 2, significant casualties have been reported in Lebanon.
- Israel extended a ceasefire with Lebanon but continued airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
- Over 20 villages were targeted in the airstrikes on May 16.
- A commander of the Israeli military was killed by a Hezbollah drone strike on May 15.
- The Israeli military claims the airstrikes are aimed at Hezbollah's military infrastructure.
- Since March 2, the conflict has resulted in 2,951 deaths and 8,988 injuries in Lebanon.