Israel Kills 12 in Lebanon, Crossing Litani River as Hezbollah Hits UN Bases
Updated
Updated · CNN International · May 13
Israel Kills 12 in Lebanon, Crossing Litani River as Hezbollah Hits UN Bases
18 articles · Updated · CNN International · May 13
At least 12 people were killed in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, including a mother and two children, as attacks hit vehicles and towns along the coastal highway near Sidon.
Israeli forces also crossed the Litani River this week, a military official said, breaching a key boundary and marking a deeper push into Lebanon as the ceasefire with Hezbollah frays.
The Israeli military said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets, while Hezbollah claimed 10 attacks on Israeli military posts and UNIFIL reported multiple drones hit its bases in recent days.
Lebanon's health ministry says Israel's campaign has killed 2,896 people and wounded 8,824 since early March, underscoring the risk that ambassador-level talks in Washington later this week may be overtaken by renewed fighting.
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Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire began on April 17, 2026, violence in Lebanon has sharply escalated, especially in the south. On May 13, Israeli drone strikes hit cars on a major highway in the Jiyeh area, leaving vehicles destroyed and causing eight deaths, including two children. These attacks are part of broader Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah sites, while Hezbollah continues to retaliate. Despite the ceasefire, both sides have violated the truce, leading to heavy civilian casualties and severe damage to infrastructure. The ongoing conflict highlights the failure of diplomatic efforts and the deepening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.