Israeli airstrikes struck multiple locations in southern Lebanon on Sunday, resulting in the death of at least one individual and injuries to four rescuers, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirmed. The attacks targeted the villages of Arabsalim and Srifa, with the latter strike wounding five people—four of them first responders from the Islamic Health Committee, an organization linked to Hezbollah. The ministry condemned the attacks, invoking Article 19 of the Geneva Convention, which obligates warring parties to protect medical personnel and facilities in conflict zones.

The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders on Sunday, expanding the warning zone in southern Lebanon to include over 10 villages and towns, many located in the Nabatieh District north of the Litani River. This marks a significant geographical broadening of Israel’s declared operational area, which until now had been largely confined to zones south of the Litani, where Israeli forces are stationed. Arabsalim and Srifa, both struck on Sunday, were explicitly listed in the evacuation notice, suggesting prior targeting intelligence.

Despite the April 17 ceasefire intended to de-escalate hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, cross-border attacks have continued at a reduced intensity. The agreement permits Israel to respond to 'planned, imminent or ongoing attacks,' a clause that has been interpreted broadly by Israeli military leadership. On Wednesday, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned that threats beyond the 'yellow line'—the boundary of Israel’s current control—would be met with force, signaling a readiness to strike deeper into Lebanese territory if necessary.

The targeting of rescuers, even those affiliated with a designated militant group, raises serious questions under international humanitarian law, which protects medical personnel regardless of affiliation during armed conflict. The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported additional strikes in towns not included in the evacuation warnings, indicating either expanding operations or discrete, intelligence-led actions. With both sides maintaining a high state of alert and public rhetoric hardening, the ceasefire remains fragile. Any further escalation—particularly if civilian casualties mount or infrastructure is severely damaged—could rapidly unravel the current understanding, leading to a full-scale conflict with regional ramifications.