Two Syrian nationals were killed on Friday afternoon in an Israeli drone strike targeting the Yohmor al-Shqif region (Nabatiyeh caza), according to a preliminary assessment by the Lebanese Ministry of Health. In addition, an Israeli raid killed three people in Kfar Tibnit, including a woman, and wounded eighteen, including women and children. Two people were injured in a strike on Beit Yahun-Heddatha, according to the Ministry of Health. Other raids also targeted the heights of Jabbour and the outskirts of Kfarhouna (Jezzine caza) in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Army said, “in recent hours, we struck Hezbollah headquarters, military infrastructure and rocket launchers in southern Lebanon.”
These attacks came after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Hezbollah. “With every attempt to cause harm to localities in the Galilee (northern Israel), the roofs of Beirut's southern suburb will tremble,” warned Katz in a video released after an Israeli strike on the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital.
The raid was carried out on Friday in response to early-morning rocket fire into the north, which Israel attributed to Hezbollah. The pro-Iranian group denied any involvement in the incident.
“I am sending a clear message to the Lebanese government: if you do not implement the ceasefire agreement (with Hezbollah), we will,” added the Israeli official.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would strike “everywhere in Lebanon against any threat.” He emphasized that Israel will continue to enforce the ceasefire “vigorously” and will target “every threat to the state anywhere inside Lebanon,” stressing that his government will ensure that all residents of the north return home safely.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah sources denied to the National News Agency (NNA) reports that Hezbollah was “determined to retaliate firmly” against the Israeli strikes in Hadath, on the southern outskirts of Beirut.
A drone strike targeted a building in the Jamous district of Hadath, in the southern suburb of Beirut, almost two hours after a call to evacuate the area. The building was completely destroyed. The building housed a drone warehouse, according to the Israeli Army's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee. Adraee put the onus on the Lebanese state to “ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement” and reaffirmed that the Israeli Army “will continue to work to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel.”
Condemnations and Calls for Restraint
Condemnations and appeals for de-escalation poured in following Friday’s Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburb.
On Friday evening, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Egypt was engaging in "urgent contacts with regional and international parties to put an end to Israel’s escalation in Lebanon."
A similar stance was taken by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Europe, which expressed deep concern over the intensification of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.
"France is observing with great concern the escalation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon. It strongly condemns the rocket fire launched toward Israel from Lebanese territory on the morning of March 28, which led to the ongoing Israeli response," the Quai d’Orsay stated.
It added: "France remains engaged in efforts to implement a ceasefire and is pursuing high-level contacts with its American, Israeli, and Lebanese partners to that end."
Earlier, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized during a press conference that he "has always urged the international community to support the Lebanese government and army in fully guaranteeing the country's sovereignty and Israel’s security."
"We have consistently called for full respect of the ceasefire," he stated, reaffirming that the UN holds a "very clear position" on the matter.
Additionally, he reiterated that "the UN has always called on Israel to withdraw from areas where it remains present in Lebanon and to respect the country’s territorial integrity."
"We are deeply concerned about the escalation along the Blue Line," added UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department stated on Friday evening that it "expects the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm armed groups."
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