Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 47 as Israel reports four soldiers killed by Hezbollah

Lebanon's Health Ministry said in a statement issued late on Friday that Israeli air strikes around Tyre, Nabatiyeh and Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon had killed at least 47 people and wounded more than 130. The ministry said the majority of those killed were civilians. Hezbollah said it had launched a missile attack on an Israeli observation post on the northern border in which four Israeli soldiers were killed; the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attack and the casualty figure.

A spokesperson for the UNIFIL peacekeeping force warned that the clashes had significantly eroded the ceasefire signed in late 2024. The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session on Monday. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called for the parties to return to the ceasefire immediately. France, Germany and Egypt issued similar statements.

Diplomatic channels reported that the indirect talks under way in Doha have been pushed to Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that 'we are responding proportionately to Hezbollah's attacks.' Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called the strikes 'a violation of national sovereignty.' Brent crude rose about $0.50 to around $78.40 in late US trading.