Israeli attacks kill more than 20 people in Lebanon, state media says

At least 21 people died in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday (5), according to a CNN count based on data from the NNA (Lebanon National News Agency).

The total includes a municipal council member in Sidon, two Syrian children who were on a motorbike with their father in Nabatiyeh and a paramedic in the nearby town of Zebdine, NNA reported, adding that the latest attack targeted an ambulance trying to deliver bread to a family under a military siege.

"Attacking paramedics during rescue operations is an act that constitutes a barbaric violation of international humanitarian law," the Lebanese Ministry of Health said in a statement condemning the Israeli attack on Zebdine.

CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment.

Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,558 people and injured another 10,870 across Lebanon, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Clashes between the Israeli armed forces and Hezbollah have intensified in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire brokered by the United States and agreed between the governments of Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday (3).

Hezbollah said it carried out more than 20 attacks against Israeli forces on Friday, most in the vicinity of the historic Beaufort Castle, which Israel seized about a week ago.

Israel has intensified its military offensive against Hezbollah north of the Litani River, occupying dozens of villages in southern Lebanon.

In an exclusive interview with journalist Christiane Amanpour, from CNN, the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, stated on Friday (5) that the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hezbollah are fighting a "useless war" that will never lead to the "desired result" for them.

In the interview, the Lebanese president also criticized Iran, accusing the country of exploiting his nation as a bargaining chip in the war against the United States and Israel.

*by CNN's Kareem El Damanhoury

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Source: CNN