Lebanon accuses Israel of attacking ‘densely populated residential areas,’ killing civilians

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel on Wednesday of attacking “densely populated residential areas” despite ceasefire efforts.

In a statement on the US social media company X, Salam said Lebanon has welcomed a recent ceasefire announcement agreement between Iran and the US.

“While we intensified our efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, Israel continued to escalate its attacks targeting densely populated residential areas that claimed the lives of innocent civilians throughout Lebanon, particularly in the capital, Beirut.”

The premier accused Israel of “disregarding all regional and international efforts to end the war.

Israel “blatantly violated the principles of international law and international humanitarian law, which it has never respected in the first place,” he said, calling on Lebanon's friends “to stop these attacks by all available means.”

In a statement, the Lebanese Presidency said the “barbaric attacks, which respect neither agreements nor commitments, repeatedly demonstrate Israel’s disregard for all international laws and norms.”

It noted that “over fifteen months since the ceasefire agreement in November 2024, numerous violations and breaches have been recorded without any deterrence.”

“Israel is once again persisting in its aggression, in defiance of all humanitarian values and disregarding efforts aimed at de-escalation and stability,” the presidency added.

The Lebanese Presidency held Israel “fully responsible for the consequences of this dangerous escalation.”

It stressed that “continuing these aggressive policies will only heighten tension and instability in the region.”

The presidency called on the international community to “assume its responsibilities to stop these repeated attacks and end this approach that threatens security and stability.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir vowed to continue the army’s strikes on Lebanon “without interruption,” as Israel launched its largest attack since the escalation began in March, under an offensive dubbed “Eternal Darkness.”

The Israeli army said Wednesday it struck more than 100 sites “within 10 minutes” across multiple areas in Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon, in the “largest” coordinated strike since the start of the current offensive in Lebanon.

Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.

Lebanese authorities said that at least 1,530 people have since been killed and 4,812 others injured in the Israeli attacks.