Israeli strikes kill 14 in Lebanon amid ongoing ceasefire

Israeli strikes kill 14 in Lebanon amid ongoing ceasefire 1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleImogen JamesGetty ImagesSmoke rises from the town of Arnoun, in Lebanon, following an airstrikeLebanon's Ministry of Health has said Israeli strikes on the country on Sunday killed 14 people, including two children and two women, and injured 37.An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson had earlier issued evacuation warnings for several villages in southern Lebanon, writing that residents "must evacuate" immediately, and that staying would be "endangering their life". The IDF later said it had carried out "artillery and aerial strikes" targeting Hezbollah operatives and sites in southern Lebanon that it claims were used "to advance attacks against IDF soldiers".It also said a 19-year-old IDF soldier had been killed and six others injured by a Hezbollah drone attack in Lebanon.Separately, Hezbollah launched three drones towards Israel, the IDF reported, which it said were intercepted by Israel's air force before they crossed the border.The two countries remain under a precarious semi-permanent ceasefire, which took effect on 16 April and was extended by three weeks on Thursday last week.Under the deal, Israel retains its "right to take all necessary measures in self-defence, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks".Speaking at a government meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF is "active, and it is acting with force" in Lebanon, stating Hezbollah's actions are "disintegrating the ceasefire". "We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well. This means freedom of action, not only to respond to attacks, which is obvious, but to thwart immediate threats and also to neutralise emerging threats," he said. Sunday's activity came after the IDF said it s...