Lebanon says Israeli strikes killed 39 in a single day
Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli air strikes killed 39 people in a single day in the south of the country. The toll effectively confirms the collapse of the ceasefire reached with Hezbollah and intensifies international pressure on both sides.
Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli air strikes have killed 39 people and wounded around 80 in a single 24-hour window in the south of the country. Most of the strikes hit areas around Sidon, Tyre and the rural districts of Bint Jbeil; some of the buildings hit had previously been linked to Hezbollah commanders.
The toll effectively confirms the collapse of the Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire that was brokered last year with US and French mediation. The Lebanese army, whose units along the border have no mandate to engage Israeli aircraft, has formally referred the situation to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is now requesting an urgent Security Council meeting.
International pressure is rebuilding. The European Union and Turkey have issued a joint call for an immediate ceasefire, while signals from Washington are mixed: the White House says the conflict must remain 'contained', but the Pentagon has confirmed continued coordinated intelligence support for Israel. Oil markets have so far reacted modestly, with Brent contracts opening the week roughly flat.
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