Lebanon Passes 3,000 Deaths from Israeli Strikes in Hezbollah War
Lebanon’s health ministry says the death toll has surpassed 3,000.
A Grim Milestone
Israeli strikes during the conflict with Hezbollah have killed 3,020 people. The fighting escalated at the beginning of March. It shows no sign of abating despite a fragile ceasefire.
Lebanon was drawn into the war on 2 March. Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel after an Israeli strike killed Iran’s supreme leader.
Deaths After Ceasefire
The toll has continued to climb. Lebanon and Israel agreed on Friday to extend their truce by 45 days. However, the health ministry says more than 400 deaths have occurred since the ceasefire came into effect on 17 April. That period has been marked by repeated violations on both sides.The truce deal was brokered by the United States. It allows Israel to carry out strikes aimed at countering Hezbollah’s military activity. Lebanon has condemned the attacks, saying they undermine efforts to re-establish state control over armed groups’ weapons.Since the ceasefire extension was announced on Friday, Israeli strikes on towns and villages across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley have continued. Dozens more people have been killed.
