BEIRUT: Israeli strikes on a town in southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people, including two children, early Monday, Lebanese authorities said, marking a sharp escalation in violence despite the ceasefire intended to contain fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s state news agency said the attacks struck the Nabatieh area, where rescue teams searched damaged buildings following the bombardment.
The latest fatalities came a day after separate Israeli strikes killed several people in southern Lebanon, increasing concern that repeated attacks could undermine the already fragile ceasefire.
Israel has said recent operations are directed at Hezbollah personnel, weapons and infrastructure and has accused the armed group of violating the ceasefire. Lebanese officials have accused Israel of repeatedly breaching the agreement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has appealed to the United States to intervene diplomatically as Beirut seeks to prevent the continuing exchanges from developing into another major confrontation.
The renewed violence comes while negotiations continue over security arrangements in southern Lebanon and the future of areas where Israeli forces maintain a presence.