Israeli airstrikes kill 7, injure 40 in eastern and southern Lebanon

Seven people were killed and 40 others injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes targeting eastern and southern Lebanon on Saturday evening, according to Lebanon's health authorities.

An anonymous Lebanese security source said that Israel had carried out 15 airstrikes so far on Saturday evening.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Israeli Air Force launched a second wave of strikes against what it claimed were Hezbollah command centers, infrastructure sites, militants, rocket launchers and a weapons storage facility across Lebanon.

It said it would "continue to strike as required to protect Israeli civilians."

Shortly before, a statement from the Israeli Defense Minister's Office said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz had instructed the IDF to launch a second wave of strikes against dozens of "Hezbollah targets" in Lebanon in response to the rockets fired into northern Israel on Saturday morning.

"The Lebanese government is responsible for everything that happens on its territory," the statement said. "Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and sovereignty, and will act in every way to ensure the security of Israeli citizens and northern communities."

Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said it intercepted rockets launched from Lebanon towards the northern Israeli town of Metula. No casualties were reported in Israel, according to the country's emergency services.

The first wave of Israeli attacks came on Saturday afternoon, hitting areas near the villages of Touline, Kfar Melki, Mleeta and the Wadi al-Hujeir valley in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency (NNA) reported, adding that a residential building in Touline was destroyed, leaving one dead and three wounded.

In a statement issued after the strikes, the Israeli military said it had struck Hezbollah's infrastructure in Lebanon.

As part of diplomatic efforts to curb the ongoing escalation, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji held talks with several regional foreign ministers and officials, according to the NNA.

Rajji called for pressure on Israel to halt its offensive, de-escalate the situation and contain the growing crisis along the southern border.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced alarm over the violence.

"We strongly urge all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardize the fragile stability," UNIFIL's spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said, warning that further escalation could have "severe consequences." UNIFIL said peacekeepers were maintaining patrols to de-escalate tensions.

The exchange occurred amid lingering friction over a U.S.- and French-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on November 27, 2024, halting over a year of hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict.

The truce stipulated an Israeli withdrawal from disputed Lebanese territory, but Israeli forces continue to occupy five border posts well past a February 18 deadline, Lebanese officials say.

(With input from Xinhua)