Israeli strikes in S. Lebanon kill 15

Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon late Friday and into Saturday killed at least 15 people and wounded several others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry, reported Xinhua.

It said the casualties involved paramedics and a Syrian national.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army said on social media platform X that two soldiers were seriously wounded when an Israeli drone struck their vehicle on a main road in the village of Ebba in the Nabatieh district. The soldiers were taken to hospital for treatment.

Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said Saturday that the death toll in the country from the conflict since March 2 has risen to 3,371, with 10,129 injured.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Saturday the country is facing a critical phase amid a sharp escalation in Israeli strikes, calling for stronger political and diplomatic efforts to reach a new ceasefire.

Salam accused Israel of carrying out widespread destruction and collective punishment, saying strikes have expanded beyond specific targets to hit towns, villages and civilian infrastructure.

However, he said Lebanon remains committed to a ceasefire deal that would include a full Israeli withdrawal, the release of prisoners, the return of the displaced, and reconstruction through negotiations.

Salam added decisions on war and peace must remain under state authority and urged national unity, saying Lebanon would overcome the crisis under "one state, one decision and one army."

Separately, Hezbollah on Saturday fired rockets toward the northern Israeli cities of Safed and Nahariya, with no reported casualties, the Israel Defense Forces said, adding that the launches came shortly after it warned of expected rocket fire from Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israeli forces had expanded operations north of the Litani River, beyond a designated security zone in southern Lebanon where troops have remained since a ceasefire took effect in mid-April.

Israeli media assessments said the rise in Hezbollah attacks was linked to the expanded Israeli military activity in Lebanon. Some reports also suggested both sides were increasing operations ahead of possible U.S.-Iran talks that could include efforts to halt hostilities in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday announced in a statement stricter restrictions in large areas of northern Israel amid an escalation in Hezbollah projectile launches from Lebanon.

The new guidelines from the IDF's Home Front Command include the closure of all schools, for at least two days, in the confrontation line area along the border with Lebanon, including the cities of Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona.

In these areas, gathering restrictions remain at a maximum of 50 people outdoors and 200 indoors, and only workplaces with appropriate protection can open.

Meanwhile, Israel's Health Ministry said in a statement that due to the security escalation, the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya moved inpatient wards to an underground complex in the hospital.

Throughout Saturday, Hezbollah launched barrages of rockets and drones into northern Israel, while expanding the range of strikes deep into Israel. No casualties were reported.

Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon late Friday and into Saturday killed at least 15 people and wounded several others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect in April. Despite the truce, Israel has continued to carry out near-daily strikes in Lebanon, while Hezbollah has launched attacks on Israeli military positions.