Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens of Civilians in Southern Lebanon

Israeli strikes killed dozens of civilians in southern Lebanon over the weekend, according to RT's Steve Sweeney reporting from the Nabatieh area on Tuesday.

The Lebanese Health Ministry later updated figures, stating 27 civilians were killed and 69 others wounded between Friday evening and early Monday. Sweeney reported 22 people died in the Nabatieh area, including a baby and two teenagers. Israel stated it was hitting targets linked to Hezbollah, but Sweeney reported a children's amusement park, a hospital, and a residential building were struck.

An evacuation order was issued for one residential building minutes before it was hit. On Monday, Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Rumman killed at least 12 people, including two children, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. One strike hit a building, killing 11 people, including two children and four women, and wounding eight others, including three children and a paramedic.

Another strike on a car in Kfar Rumman killed a paramedic with the Lebanese Islamic Risala Scout Association and wounded two others. The Israeli military stated these strikes retaliated for two Hezbollah drone attacks that targeted Israeli troops in Lebanon from the area on Monday. Hezbollah did not claim the attacks or issue an immediate statement.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel on Sunday for a dangerous escalation that extends to state institutions or health centers and disrupts the continuity of state and public services. The intensification of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) strikes occurs ahead of another round of peace talks between West Jerusalem and Beirut, scheduled for September 15 and 16.

These strikes continue despite an US-mediated ceasefire in force since late June. Israel's military said it is in operational control of the strategic Ali Taher hill, which overlooks several villages and main roads to Nabatiyeh.