JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said it has intercepted more than 10 drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon toward northern Israel since early Monday.
Some of the drones were also directed at Israeli troops engaged in a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, it said, adding that the Air Force continued to "remove threats" in southern Lebanon and further degrade Hezbollah's capabilities.
Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom said a woman in her 60s was lightly wounded by shattered glass in northern Israel following a rocket attack from Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Public Health Ministry said Monday in a statement that the cumulative death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon since March 2 has reached 2,089, with 6,762 others wounded.
In a statement released Monday by Lebanon's official National News Agency, the International Committee of the Red Cross voiced deep alarm over the ongoing harm to aid workers in Lebanon, including the killing and injury of personnel while carrying out life-saving missions.
It renewed its urgent appeal for compliance with international humanitarian law, stressing the need to respect and protect humanitarian workers, medical facilities, ambulances, and hospitals, and to ensure safe, unimpeded access to those in need.
The development came amid further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unauthorized visit to southern Lebanon on Sunday, where he said: "The war continues."
Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military said Israel expanded its ground offensive in Lebanon, whereas Netanyahu confirmed the country is establishing a deeper security buffer zone in Lebanon along the border. Hezbollah said it fired a rocket barrage at northern Israel in response.
Hezbollah entered the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran on March 2 by launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire on Nov. 27, 2024, prompting Israel to carry out an intensified military campaign targeting multiple areas across the country.
A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States took effect on Wednesday. Israel said it would abide by the truce but argued the agreement does not apply to Lebanon, an assertion rejected by Iran and mediator Pakistan.
Israeli and Lebanese officials are due to begin rare direct talks in Washington on Tuesday. ■
