At Least Eight Civilians Killed in Israeli Drone Strikes on Lebanon Highway

Three Israeli drone strikes on a major highway south of Beirut killed at least eight people, including two children, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported. The attacks occurred in the Jiyeh area, about 20km from the capital, leaving vehicles severely damaged.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent noted the conflict is escalating and causing heavy civilian casualties. Lebanon and Israel are set to begin new direct negotiations in Washington on Thursday, brokered by the United States, though Hezbollah opposes these talks.

The Israeli military issued forced displacement orders for six southern Lebanese villages, warning of imminent “forceful” action and urging residents to evacuate at least 1,000 meters away. These orders come nearly daily, intensifying pressure on civilians and crippling local infrastructure.

Khodr reported that only three hospitals remain operational in the Tyre district, serving at least 100,000 people. These facilities are critical lifelines, but many injured cannot reach them due to long, dangerous journeys from remote villages further south.

On Tuesday, 13 more were killed in southern towns, including two Lebanese Civil Defence paramedics. Since March 2, over 2,800 people have died in the conflict, with 108 emergency medical workers among the victims amid more than 140 recorded attacks on ambulances and medical facilities.

Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto highlighted a growing humanitarian crisis, with over one million people now displaced. Communities in southern Lebanon face severe shortages and mounting dangers as violence continues.