Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill 42 as US-Iran Truce Talks Proceed

Lebanese Health Ministry announcement

31 killed and 40 wounded in strikes on the south, with 11 more dead in the east

Israeli military expands ground operations beyond the "Yellow Line"

Offensive continues despite ceasefire brokered by Trump

Netanyahu orders military to intensify attacks

Israeli forces continued airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon on May 26 as the US and Iran pressed ahead with talks aimed at ending the war.

Airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed 31 people and wounded 40 others, Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced. At least four children were among the dead.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike hit near a public hospital, causing heavy damage.

In eastern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed 11 people, including two children, the ministry said.

Multiple strikes also hit the Qaraoun Dam, Lebanon’s largest dam, on the Litani River in the country’s east.

The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings on May 26 for at least 50 towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, including the southern city of Nabatieh, and then carried out airstrikes.

Hebrew-language Israeli media, citing unnamed security sources, reported that the military recently expanded ground operations beyond the "Yellow Line."

The Yellow Line is a zone Israel set up in the southern border area in mid-April, saying it was needed to contain security threats from the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. The zone extends as far as 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.

The operation also involved direct clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah said in a statement on May 26 that it had repelled Israeli forces advancing into the southern area of Zawtar al-Sharqiya.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the military a day earlier to intensify its offensive.

Israel has maintained its military campaign even as Washington and Tehran conduct behind-the-scenes negotiations on a wartime settlement.

Since a ceasefire mediated by President Donald Trump took effect on April 17, the Israeli military has continued attacks, saying Hezbollah threatens forces stationed in southern Lebanon.

More recently, Israeli fighter jets resumed strikes across southern Lebanon, adding to the casualty toll.

Park Sang-kyung, Hankyung.com reporter highseoul@hankyung.com