An Israeli air strike in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley killed four people on Wednesday, despite a ceasefire in place since April 17. The Lebanese health ministry reported that the strike hit the town of Zellaya, killing the mayor and three members of his family, including two women and an elderly man. This attack occurred shortly before the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for a dozen towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including Zellaya, most of which lie north of the Litani River and outside the areas previously occupied by Israeli forces.

The Israeli army confirmed it had launched strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure across multiple locations in Lebanon and reiterated its evacuation notice. Israeli air and artillery attacks targeted several towns, including Yohmor al-Shaqeef in the Nabatieh district. Photographs showed smoke rising behind Beaufort Castle, a historic site that Israeli forces had used during their occupation of southern Lebanon, which ended in 2000. Lebanese state media reported significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and a targeted strike on a vehicle.

Hezbollah, the Shia militant group and political party based in Lebanon, said it had conducted operations against Israeli forces and vehicles in border towns in southern Lebanon. The group characterized its actions as responses to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. Both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States amid ongoing tensions.

The conflict intensified following Hezbollah missile attacks on Israel on March 2, which coincided with the escalation of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Israel subsequently expanded a ground invasion into southern Lebanon. Since March 2, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in over 2,700 deaths, including casualties occurring after the ceasefire was established.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the situation during a press briefing, stating that a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon is achievable but highlighted Hezbollah as a primary obstacle. He emphasized that the issue lies less with the states themselves and more with the militant group and stressed the need for a Lebanese government capable of confronting Hezbollah. Lebanon’s government has expressed a desire for a permanent arrangement to end the cycle of conflict with Israel, though it has stopped short of explicitly pursuing a formal peace treaty. Israel maintains that any lasting agreement must include the permanent disarmament of Hezbollah.

The latest rounds of violence underscore ongoing instability in the region, with both Israeli military actions and Hezbollah’s retaliatory measures contributing to continued hostilities despite the framework of the ceasefire.