Israeli warplanes strike southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

Israeli warplanes carried out three airstrikes on Friday on the town of Deir Aames in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement.

Israeli aircraft conducted three consecutive strikes on Deir Aames, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported.

It added that Israeli forces also carried out a demolition, and a large explosion was heard in surrounding areas, while artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of the towns of Mansouri and Bayt Siyad in Tyre, as demolition activities continued in Al-Bayyada.​​​​​​​

“Urgent warning to residents of Lebanon in the town of Deir Aames: You must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from the village,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee said earlier on the US social media company X.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced the activation of sirens in northern Israeli settlements, including Zarit and Kiryat Shmona.

In a later statement, the army said the air force intercepted a drone before it entered Israeli airspace.

US President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had been extended by three weeks following ambassador-level talks at the White House.

The US-brokered 10-day ceasefire, which took effect on April 16, had been set to expire on Sunday.

Since March 2, expanded Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed nearly 2,500 people and displaced more than 1 million, according to Lebanese authorities.

*Writing by Lina Altawell and Rania Abushamala in Istanbul