By Mumo Judah | May 27, 2026
At least 31 people, including children, have been killed in a fresh wave of Israeli air strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to escalate military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
The latest bombardment, described as one of the heaviest since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in mid-April, targeted more than 100 Hezbollah sites, according to the Israeli military.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that several civilians were among those killed, while dozens more sustained injuries as homes and buildings were reduced to rubble in overnight attacks.
Speaking during a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Israel was “deepening our operation in Lebanon” and intensifying efforts to establish what he described as a “security zone” along the border.
“The Israel Defense Forces are operating with large forces on the ground and seizing dominant terrain,” Netanyahu stated, adding that Israel would continue striking Hezbollah positions to protect northern Israeli communities from attacks.
The escalation comes amid mounting tensions despite an existing ceasefire agreement that has repeatedly been violated by both Israel and Hezbollah, raising fears of a wider regional conflict involving Iran and the United States.
Lebanese state media reported that Israeli warplanes struck several areas including Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley and Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon. Some attacks reportedly occurred near the historic Beaufort Castle, a centuries-old fortress recognized by UNESCO as one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the region.
In Mashghara, rescue teams spent hours digging survivors from the rubble after multiple homes collapsed following the strikes.
Among those rescued was seven-year-old Mohammad, who survived despite losing his father and two sisters in the attack.
“When I woke up, I felt like I couldn’t move, and beside me was just darkness,” the child told reporters from his hospital bed.
Videos from the scene showed emergency crews pulling the dust-covered boy from debris during frantic overnight rescue efforts.
Residents described the village as devastated and deserted after the bombardment.
A local municipal official identified as Ahmad accused Israel of targeting civilians indiscriminately.
“I’m not a member of Hezbollah, but everyone in the village stands with the resistance, and the enemy is sparing no one,” he said shortly before another nearby explosion interrupted the interview.
The Israeli military later released aerial footage which it claimed showed strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and militants operating in the area.
Israel also issued new evacuation warnings across parts of Lebanon on Tuesday, accusing Hezbollah of breaching ceasefire conditions by launching rockets and drones into northern Israel.
Earlier Wednesday morning, sirens sounded in northern Israel after a projectile was fired from Lebanon. The Israeli military said the projectile landed in an open area and caused no injuries.
Hezbollah meanwhile said it targeted Israeli military barracks and posts in response to what it termed continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
Netanyahu’s latest orders followed the death of an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon on Sunday. According to Israeli authorities, 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed since fighting with Hezbollah intensified in March.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says more than 3,185 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict escalated earlier this year.
