Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven people in the southern Lebanese town of Abbassiyeh on Thursday, according to the Lebanese National News Agency. The attack follows a massive wave of bombardment that killed 203 people across the country on Wednesday.
Israeli warplanes targeted several towns, including Kafra, Jmaijmeh, Safad al-Battikh, Majdal Selm, and Deir Antar. Artillery shelling also struck the town of Haris, according to local reports.
The Lebanese army confirmed that four soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for overnight strikes in Beirut, stating they killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, a close aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem.
Israel also reported targeting infrastructure and crossings over the Litani River. Hezbollah has not yet commented on the claim regarding Harshi's death.
Ceasefire under threat
The escalation threatens a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. While Tehran maintains the agreement includes Lebanon, Washington has signaled a different stance.
US Vice President JD Vance stated that Lebanon falls outside the scope of the ceasefire. "If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart... over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them, and which the United States never once said was part of the ceasefire, that’s ultimately their choice," Vance said.
Iranian officials warned that the continued strikes undermine the foundation for talks. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described further negotiations as "unreasonable" following the recent violations.
Hezbollah responded to the strikes with rocket fire, claiming Israeli actions violate the recent agreement. The group also reported carrying out four attacks against Israeli sites in northern Israel and southern Lebanon on Thursday.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the scale of the killing as "horrific." French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also condemned the strikes, noting that more than 250 people died in a single ten-minute window.
Lebanon’s health ministry reports that since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,739 people and wounded 5,873. Lebanon’s prime minister has declared a national day of mourning, ordering the closure of public offices and the lowering of flags.
