Israeli Air Strikes Kill At Least 14 in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Violence

Israeli Air Strikes Claim Lives in Southern Lebanon

At least 14 people have been killed in southern Lebanon following a series of Israeli air strikes, amid fears that the ongoing violence could threaten the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli attacks, stating that targeting state institutions would not deter Lebanon from defending its sovereignty.

Al Jazeera's Obaida Hitto reported from Tyre, Lebanon, stating that the death toll is likely to increase as civil defence continues to search for survivors in the rubble.

Israeli forces have been launching 'non-stop' strikes across southern Lebanon since the morning, according to Hitto.

The Lebanese group Hezbollah responded to the attacks by firing rockets towards towns in northern Israel, including Kiryat Shmona, Metula, and Misgav Am.

Hezbollah stated that the attacks would continue until the Israeli-American aggression against the country and its people stopped.

The World Health Organization (WHO) received assurances that two hospitals in Beirut included in an Israeli forced evacuation order would not be attacked.

The WHO expressed concerns about the humanitarian toll, with nearly 390,000 children displaced and over 600 children killed or injured since March 2.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the situation in Lebanon is 'rapidly becoming a food security crisis' due to rising prices and higher demand from displaced families.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon 'as soon as possible', but diplomatic efforts appear limited.

A senior Lebanese official stated that Lebanon intends to join a meeting next week in Washington with US and Israeli representatives to discuss a ceasefire.