Lebanese PM: Over 3,000 Israeli Air Strikes in Lebanon Since Ceasefire Began
Escalation and Impact of the Ceasefire in Lebanon
BEIRUT, June 8 (Reuters) - Israel has carried out nearly 3,500 air strikes on Lebanon and hundreds of controlled explosions since the U.S. announced a ceasefire for the country on April 16, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Monday.
Ceasefire Implementation and Ongoing Conflict
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into effect just after midnight on April 17, with Israeli troops still positioned deep inside southern Lebanon. While it has largely halted air strikes on Beirut and its suburbs, it has failed to halt fighting in southern Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
Statistics on Strikes and Demolitions
In comments published by his office on X after a cabinet meeting, Salam said that from April 17 to June 7, Israel had carried out 3,491 air strikes, 407 controlled demolitions and six "razing" operations, or demolitions - which have left some entire villages in the southernmost strip of Lebanon entirely flattened.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
Strain on Lebanon's Resources
Salam said Lebanon was striving to uphold the ceasefire but that the latest escalation between Iran and Israel had caused additional waves of displacement, straining Lebanon's ability to host fleeing families.
Scale of Displacement
Already, more than 1 million people - a fifth of Lebanon's population - have been displaced by Israel's strikes and evacuation warnings across Lebanon since the war erupted on March 2.
Hezbollah's Role and Regional Tensions
Origins of the Latest Conflict
The latest conflict broke out when Hezbollah fired rockets on Israel in support of its ally Iran, which was being struck by Israel and the United States.
Continued Fighting and Diplomatic Efforts
Hezbollah has continued firing at Israel and has rejected U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials aimed at bolstering the ceasefire with a lasting agreement.
Recent Escalations and International Reactions
Retaliatory Strikes and Regional Involvement
On Sunday, Israel struck Beirut's southern suburbs in retaliation for Hezbollah fire on northern Israel. In response, Tehran bombed northern Israel, which has fired back on various locations in Iran.
Comments from U.S. Leadership
U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that ceasefires in the Middle East involved "shooting in a more moderate manner", rather than a total halt in fighting.
(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by David Holmes)
