Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon kill over 3,700 amid fragile cease‑fire

Israel's military has continued a series of air attacks on southern Lebanon despite a cease‑fire that began on 17 April and was later extended for 45 days. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the death toll from the attacks rose by 45 people in the last 24 hours, reaching a total of 3,756, with 11,632 injured.

The fighting, which began with a heavy Israeli bombing campaign on 2 March, has displaced more than one million Lebanese. The United States has mediated several rounds of talks, extending the cease‑fire and seeking a broader agreement that would require Hezbollah to halt attacks and pull forces south of the Litani River. Hezbollah has rejected the conditional cease‑fire, and Iran has warned of a tougher response if Israel continues its operations.

Despite the diplomatic efforts, Israeli forces have bombed multiple villages in the south, killing civilians including a local mufti and injuring others. The ongoing hostilities keep the region on edge and threaten to destabilise the fragile peace.