BEIRUT: At least 39 people were killed across Lebanon on Saturday following a series of intensive Israeli airstrikes, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The continued hostilities come despite a ceasefire agreement announced by US President Donald Trump on April 16.

Significant Casualties in Southern Lebanon

One of the deadliest strikes occurred in the southern town of Saksakiyeh, where health officials reported at least seven fatalities, including a young girl. An additional 15 people were wounded in the raid, three of whom are children.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation targeted a structure used for military purposes by Hezbollah. While the IDF maintained that "precise munitions and aerial surveillance" were employed to mitigate civilian risk, they acknowledged reports of harm to non-combatants and noted that the incident is currently under review.

In a separate incident in Nabatieh, the Lebanese Health Ministry detailed a drone strike involving a Syrian national and his 12-year-old daughter. According to the ministry:

• The initial strike targeted a motorcycle carrying the pair.

• A subsequent strike killed the father as they attempted to flee.

• A third strike reportedly targeted the girl, who is currently undergoing emergency surgery.

Hezbollah Retaliation and Regional Context

Hezbollah continued its operations against northern Israel, launching a drone that the IDF confirmed wounded three soldiers.

Since the mid-April ceasefire announcement, the border region has remained a theater of active conflict. Israel maintains that its aerial campaign is strictly focused on dismantling the infrastructure and personnel of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia and political entity. Conversely, Lebanese state media (NNA) and health officials continue to report significant impacts on residential areas and civilian populations.

The Lebanese Health Ministry has characterized the mounting death toll as a humanitarian crisis, while Israeli officials insist that Hezbollah’s integration into civilian areas necessitates their tactical approach to ensure national security.