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Israeli strikes kill dozens in Lebanon within days despite ceasefire
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed 20 people on May 3, 2026, bringing the toll to 77 since April 30 amid a fragile ceasefire. Israel says it targets Hezbollah, which replied with drone and rocket attacks; diplomatic talks in the US yielded no progress. Lebanon's president urged full ceasefire implementation, while Hezbollah dismissed the talks; the broader death toll in Lebanon exceeds 2,600 since March 2.
Why It Matters
The violence tests a fragile ceasefire and complicates regional mediation efforts between Israel and Hezbollah, risking a broader escalation in a volatile border area.
Timeline
10 Events
Netanyahu acknowledges drone threat and will take time to address it
May 4, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledges the growing threat posed by Hezbollah's drone capabilities, warning that it will take time to address.
Lebanon's death toll since March 2 tops 2,600
May 4, 2026
Lebanon's health ministry puts the total killed in the country since fighting began on March 2 at more than 2,600.
US-brokered talks yield no tangible progress
May 4, 2026
Rounds of talks between Israel and Lebanon in the United States, though symbolically significant, have produced no tangible results on the ground.
Hezbollah's Naim Qassem dismisses diplomacy
May 4, 2026
In an address Monday morning, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismisses the diplomatic process, calling direct negotiations a concession that serves Netanyahu and Trump without results.
Lebanon's President Aoun calls for full ceasefire implementation
May 4, 2026
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun calls on Israel to fully implement the ceasefire before any further negotiations proceed.
Ceasefire began just over two weeks earlier
May 4, 2026
The article notes that the ceasefire began just over two weeks before the reporting, indicating a fragile pause in fighting.
Hezbollah claims artillery and kamikaze drone attacks
May 3, 2026
Hezbollah also claimed earlier strikes using artillery and what it described as 'kamikaze drones'.
Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Naqoura and rocket fire on Qantara
May 3, 2026
Hezbollah acknowledged carrying out drone strikes on Israeli soldiers in Naqoura and rocket fire at troops in Qantara, describing those attacks as retaliation for Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanese villages.
Israel says 17 soldiers killed during the same period
May 3, 2026
Israel says 17 of its soldiers have been killed during the same period of fighting.
Sunday strikes kill 20 in southern Lebanon; toll hits 77 since Thursday
May 3, 2026
Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Sunday killed 20 people, including two children among the dead, with 14 of the injured also being children. The toll brings the total killed since Thursday to 77.