Israeli strikes kill at least 5 in southern Lebanon despite new ceasefire

By Nathan Morley

Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks killed at least five people across southern Lebanon overnight and early Saturday.

Local media reports that three people were killed in an airstrike, one person died in a drone strike, and another was killed when a drone hit a motorcycle.

The violence came less than a day after a cease‑fire between Israel and Lebanon took effect Friday afternoon.

 It followed a deadly wave of Israeli strikes on Friday that killed at least 47 people and wounded 97 others across the country.

The truce was announced after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing regional tensions.

Lebanon was pulled into the conflict in March after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel.

Israel responded with an expansive bombing campaign and now occupies about 5% of Lebanese territory in the south.

 Around one million people remain displaced, and dozens of southern communities have been heavily damaged or destroyed.

Over the last few months, widespread destruction has damaged homes, schools and essential services, including water and sanitation systems.