Israel intensifies South Lebanon strikes, killing 13 after weeks-long lull

The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan as the conflict continues to escalate, with drone attacks and the destruction of healthcare facilities worsening the humanitarian crisis. Over six million people have been internally displaced within Sudan, and nearly 4.5 million have fled the country. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned that civilians in multiple regions face an imminent risk of further attacks, urging an end to foreign involvement and a return to civilian governance. Investigators have found evidence that both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are increasingly deploying long-range drones, expanding the scope of their operations beyond conventional battle lines. In South Kordofan, strikes on a kindergarten and hospital resulted in 114 deaths, including 60 children. Another attack on a teaching hospital killed at least 70 individuals. Both parties are suspected of committing serious violations that could constitute war crimes. Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, Israel intensified its airstrikes, killing at least 13 people, including women and children, according to the Lebanese health ministry. This comes after a weeks-long pause in hostilities. The Israeli military stated it would continue targeting Hezbollah, accusing the Iran-backed group of repeatedly violating a ceasefire agreement that took effect in June. The strikes included an attack on a building in Kfar Rumman, which killed 11 people, including two children and four women. Another strike in the same town wounded several others. A separate attack in Rihan killed one individual, while a strike on Nabatieh injured nine, including children and women. Israel claimed it had seized the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge from Hezbollah, though the group has not responded to the claim. The Israeli military said it targeted "Hezbollah infrastructure sites" following the launch of two explosive drones toward its troops and the movement of weapons by "terrorists." Residents in Kfar Rumman described the attacks as shocking. Fouad Chakaron, a local resident, recounted receiving a call at 2:00 a.m. warning him to evacuate his home, stating that the targeted building housed peaceful people with no ties to armed groups. Neighbors fled after the strike, which also damaged nearby structures. Rescue teams searched through the rubble for survivors, finding remnants of furniture and schoolbooks scattered among the debris. One of the rescuers killed was 18 years old, affiliated with the Amal movement, a political ally of Hezbollah. An AFP photographer captured images of the destroyed building, highlighting the devastation caused by the strikes. The Israeli military issued an evacuation notice for areas near Deir Zahrani but provided no prior warning for Kfar Rumman. The Israeli forces claimed the strikes were in response to Hezbollah's drone attacks and efforts to rebuild its military capacity in southern Lebanon. The Israeli foreign ministry accused Hezbollah of breaching the ceasefire agreement, which includes the disarmament of the group. Despite these accusations, Hezbollah has not made any public statements regarding the escalating violence or the alleged breaches. The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated significantly since the outbreak of fighting in March, when Hezbollah supported Iran by attacking Israel. A June agreement between Washington and Tehran, along with an Israel-Lebanon framework deal, led to a temporary reduction in hostilities. However, recent strikes suggest the fragile peace is unraveling. The Israeli military maintains that it operates within the boundaries of the ceasefire agreement while continuing to target perceived threats. As tensions persist, the humanitarian impact on civilians remains severe, with displacement and casualties mounting in both Sudan and Lebanon.