Israeli strikes killed at least 10 people across southern Lebanon since the ceasefire was extended on Friday, according to Lebanese health ministry figures, as displaced civilians began a cautious return to devastated areas.
Six people were killed on Friday, with a further four killed in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeting a truck and a motorcycle in the town of Yahmar al-Shaqif in Nabatieh district.
The deadly attacks came hours after US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel following talks in Washington, saying the meeting “went very well” and pledging continued US support for Lebanon’s security.
The Lebanese health ministry said that “Israeli enemy raids on southern Lebanon on Friday, 24 April, led to the martyrdom of six citizens and the injury of two others.”
Israeli forces also carried out a powerful explosion in the town of Khiam, while troops opened machine-gun fire toward the outskirts of Marwahin at dawn, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.
Overnight into Saturday, the Israeli army said it carried out additional airstrikes targeting what it claimed were “Hezbollah rocket launch platforms” in areas north of a so-called “yellow line” it has designated as a security strip inside southern Lebanon.
Low-flying Israeli drones were also seen over Beirut’s southern suburbs and the eastern city of Baalbek, continuing surveillance and intimidation beyond the immediate southern frontline.
At the same time, the Israeli army issued fresh warnings to residents, instructing them not to move south of a line encompassing dozens of villages and reiterating that areas near the Litani River, Wadi al-Salouqi, and Wadi al-Salhani remain off-limits.
Despite the risks, some displaced families have begun returning to the south following the ceasefire extension.
Residents were seen leaving Beirut for cities such as Tyre and Nabatieh, though many are returning to areas marked by widespread destruction, collapsed infrastructure, and a near-total absence of basic services.
Entire neighbourhoods remain in ruins, with electricity, water, and public services largely unavailable, underscoring the precarious nature of the return.
According to the Lebanese health ministry, the total toll from Israeli attacks since 2 March has reached 2,491 people killed and 7,719 wounded.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued to respond to Israeli actions, carrying out a number of operations targeting Israeli military positions and vehicles.
The group said it had carried out at least five operations targeting Israeli military positions and vehicles, as clashes escalated in areas such as Bint Jbeil.
It also said it had targeted an armoured personnel carrier, two military vehicles, and a group of soldiers, and claimed to have shot down a “Hermes 450” drone, describing the attacks as a response to continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
