Israeli strike kills six in Lebanon as US announces ceasefire extension

Fresh violence hit southern Lebanon despite a new US-backed ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon.

At least six people, including three paramedics, were killed after an Israeli air strike targeted a civil defence centre in the southern Lebanese town of Harouf, according to Lebanon Ministry of Public Health.

Lebanese officials said another paramedic suffered critical injuries in the attack. The Israeli military has not yet publicly commented on the strike.

The attack came hours after the United States Department of State announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their fragile ceasefire by 45 days following negotiations in Washington DC.

US President Donald Trump first announced the truce on April 16, but cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have continued almost daily.

The US said fresh political negotiations would resume in June, while military talks involving both countries are scheduled to begin at the Pentagon later this month.

Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure to create a buffer zone along the border. Lebanon, however, accuses Israel of striking civilians and emergency workers during the ongoing conflict.

The fighting has displaced more than one million people across Lebanon since violence escalated in March following regional tensions linked to Iran.

Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, continued air strikes and rocket attacks underline how fragile the ceasefire remains.

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