Israeli strikes kill at least 31 in southern Lebanon as operations expand

Intensified Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on May 26 killed at least 31 people, including four children and three women, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The ministry said 40 others were wounded.

The escalation came despite an existing ceasefire. Israel announced that it was expanding its ground operations, while Hezbollah reported that Israeli troops had entered the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah.

The renewed violence reflects the fragility of previous ceasefire efforts in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The fighting has also contributed to significant displacement of Lebanese residents.

The reported casualty figures and accounts of troop movements point to a sharp deterioration in conditions in southern Lebanon, where ceasefire arrangements have repeatedly come under strain.