Lebanon: War regardless of ceasefire | tagesschau.de | EUROtoday

As of: May 3, 2026 • 5:36 p.m

More than 40 individuals died in Israeli assaults in Lebanon over the weekend. The Hezbollah militia fired rockets in the direction of Israel once more. In many locations the ceasefire solely exists on paper.

They dig by means of the rubble with excavators, eradicating the rubble of a totally bombed-out home. Nothing stays of the place in southern Lebanon that was as soon as a house, native resident Haitham informed Reuters. “There were three dead here, it was my brother’s business. There is no military area here, Hezbollah is not here.”

Statement in opposition to assertion

Statement stands in opposition to assertion: Israel says that Hezbollah is breaking the ceasefire and that they’re defending themselves accordingly – the militia claims the alternative.

And the struggle continues: Israel has considerably elevated its assaults in opposition to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Civilians additionally die many times. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported greater than 40 deaths inside 24 hours on the weekend. Hezbollah can also be firing once more in the direction of northern Israel – the precise ceasefire in Lebanon solely exists on paper.

Israel repeatedly warns the inhabitants to evacuate their villages instantly. “Every day the residents of a number of villages are ordered to leave,” Lebanon political journalist Nikola Nassif informed Al Jazeera. “It has now become part of everyday life.”

Violators of worldwide legislation Buffer zone?

Israel stays stationed within the south of the nation and desires to arrange a so-called buffer zone. Lebanon sees this as an occupation of land and an expulsion that violates worldwide legislation. And the stronger the Israeli air strikes, the higher the help of the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militia among the many inhabitants.

The Lebanese authorities is simply too weak to cease Israel or disarm Hezbollah. “Lebanon cannot put direct pressure on Israel to stop the attacks, nor on Hezbollah to stop the fighting,” says journalist Nassif. “Hezbollah’s argument: They are defending their country.”

Nassif believes that the USA is the one authority that may oblige Israel to a ceasefire. “The USA persuaded Israel to stop shelling Beirut and the southern suburbs, which Israel has so far adhered to. But in the south of the country the situation is completely different.”

Many support staff killed in assaults

Particularly problematic: Helpers reminiscent of paramedics and docs repeatedly die in Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon.

“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of attacks on health facilities since the start of the conflict has risen to 149, with 100 dead and 233 injured,” stated UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. “Attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and health workers are not only unacceptable, but also violate international humanitarian law.”

Xavier Castellanos Mosquera from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reviews of support staff hugging their teammates earlier than setting off. “Because they don’t know if they’ll come back safe. That’s heartbreaking.” In this point in time, with as we speak’s know-how, he finds it unimaginable that it’s important to say: “I will save lives” – with out realizing whether or not you’ll be killed your self. “This can’t happen!”

Direct conversations?

The three-week ceasefire in Lebanon will finish in mid-May – and observers doubt whether or not will probably be prolonged. After the primary conferences at diplomatic stage, US President Donald Trump now needs direct talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. But he first calls for negotiation outcomes and doesn’t need to shake Netanyahu’s hand in the meanwhile.

“Military action is very unlikely to solve the problem,” stated Elisa Ewers, Middle East knowledgeable on the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington just a few days in the past. The window for diplomatic talks is at present open, “but not for very long, because public anger in Lebanon against Israel is increasing. That’s why a reduction in violence during the negotiations is so important.” But the struggle in Lebanon – it continues within the south regardless of the ceasefire.