Lebanese authorities accused Israel of violating the truce and targeting civilian-populated areas through continued military operations and displacement orders.
BY PC Bureau
May 9, 2026: Israel continued its military offensive in southern Lebanon on Saturday, with fresh airstrikes and raids killing at least 18 people despite an ongoing three-week ceasefire agreement, according to Lebanese officials.
The attacks targeted multiple towns and villages across southern Lebanon, with Israeli forces also issuing evacuation orders for residents in at least nine areas, warning of further strikes if civilians failed to leave.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the day’s Israeli attacks resulted in heavy civilian casualties, including women and children. Among the dead were two people in Nabatieh, including a Syrian man and his daughter; three people each in Nahrain, Saadiyat, and Haboush; and seven people in Saksakiyeh, including a child.
Lebanese authorities condemned the strikes as a blatant violation of the ceasefire and accused Israel of continuing what officials described as a devastating military campaign against civilian-populated areas in the south.
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from several targeted locations as emergency teams rushed to recover bodies and evacuate the wounded. Local media reported widespread panic among residents, with many families fleeing deeper into northern Lebanon amid fears of a broader escalation.
In response to the strikes, Hezbollah launched explosive drones toward Israeli military positions near the border. The Israeli military confirmed that three soldiers were wounded in northern Israel, including one seriously, after a drone exploded near a military site. Hezbollah described the operation as retaliation for continued Israeli attacks inside Lebanon.
🚨 Middle East Update – May 9, 2026
Lebanon Ceasefire Under Strain:
– Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 18 people today despite a 3-week ceasefire.
– Major incident in Saksakiyeh: 7 killed (incl. child) in residential building housing displaced families.
-…— Emmanuel – Big Tech & AI Investor (@EmmanuelInvest) May 9, 2026
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The latest escalation comes amid a fragile ceasefire that took effect in mid-April but has faced repeated violations and growing tensions along the border. Lebanese political leaders and regional observers accuse Israel of undermining the truce through continued airstrikes, targeted raids, and forced displacement measures.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has so far refrained from publicly criticising the latest strikes, while diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire appear stalled. International mediators have expressed concern that the worsening violence could push the region toward a wider confrontation.
Human rights organisations and humanitarian groups have renewed calls for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian areas and urged all sides to respect international law and protect non-combatants as the death toll continues to rise in southern Lebanon.
