Israeli strikes kill six in southern Lebanon hours after extension of ceasefire

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least six people, including three paramedics at a health centre, just hours after Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire. The strikes targeted what Israel described as Hezbollah infrastructure and militants preparing to launch rocket attacks. The Lebanese state media reported that at least five villages in southern Lebanon were hit, prompting a fresh wave of civilian displacement. Meanwhile, Israel also conducted a separate targeted strike in Gaza, killing Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a senior Hamas military commander linked to the recent attacks on Israel. Al-Haddad was identified by the Israeli military as a key figure in planning and executing the Hamas-led assault that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of over 250 hostages. Hamas confirmed his death through spokesperson Hazem Qassem. Al-Haddad’s family reported that six others, including his wife and daughter, were also killed in the Gaza strike, with his two sons having died earlier in the conflict. His funeral in Gaza City was marked by the display of Hamas and Palestinian flags, underscoring his long-standing role in the organization since its founding in the 1980s. The renewed violence in southern Lebanon threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire brokered after weeks of intense hostilities. Israeli military officials emphasized the significance of eliminating high-profile targets like Al-Haddad and reiterated their commitment to holding militant groups accountable. The strikes on Lebanon, particularly the attack on a clinic operated by the Islamic Health Committee, have drawn condemnation and raised concerns about the humanitarian impact on civilians in the region. Amid these developments, reports emerged that former US President Donald Trump had been briefed on military options against Iran, signaling the potential for escalation beyond the immediate Israel-Hamas conflict. The situation remains volatile, with fears that the fragile truce could collapse into broader regional warfare involving Hezbollah and other actors.