Israeli strikes killed six people in southern Lebanon Saturday and at least 34 Palestinians in Gaza, officials reported, as violence persists despite recent ceasefire agreements in both territories.
Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed five deaths and five injuries in Beit Lif from an Israeli airstrike, while a separate drone strike killed one person in Deir Seryan, more than 20 kilometers away. The Israeli military acknowledged striking a Hezbollah militant who they said posed a threat to troops, violating the November 27 ceasefire.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged “the international community, particularly the parties sponsoring security arrangements, to work seriously and decisively to halt the ongoing violations.” A U.S.-led committee including France, UN peacekeepers, Israel, and Lebanon oversees the fragile truce.
In Gaza, health officials reported an Israeli strike on a Gaza City house killed four women late Saturday, part of at least 34 Palestinian deaths throughout the day. The territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilian and militant casualties, has recorded approximately 44,500 Palestinian deaths since Israel’s counteroffensive began following Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier declared the Lebanon ceasefire was “holding” despite incidents, though both sides face accusations of violations. The UN warns nearly Gaza’s entire population of 2.3 million faces famine risk, with three-quarters already displaced.
