BEIRUT, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel could take effect within 24 hours once final approval is secured, while Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon continued from Wednesday night into Thursday, killing three people and wounding at least nine others.
Aoun said he had been in contact with international and domestic parties since 2:00 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Wednesday) to help consolidate the ceasefire, according to remarks carried by El Nashra, a local news website.
"We are awaiting responses from all concerned parties and guarantees of commitment," the president was quoted as saying.
He described the agreement as "the last opportunity," warning that "otherwise, each party will bear its responsibilities."
Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to implement a ceasefire, according to a joint statement released after trilateral negotiations in Washington. The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector, said the statement.
Despite the truce efforts, Israeli strikes continued. Late Wednesday, an Israeli strike directly targeted an ambulance team affiliated with the Islamic Health Society in the town of Zebdine, killing one medic and wounding another, according to Lebanon's Public Health Ministry.
The attack was the fourth assault in less than 24 hours targeting paramedics and healthcare facilities in southern Lebanon, it added.
An Israeli drone attack on a motorcycle in the southern town of Maaroub on Thursday killed one person and wounded another, according to local media.
In another drone strike in the town of Sohmor, one person was killed and four others injured, local media reported.
A civilian vehicle on the Zefta-Nmeiriyeh road was also hit, injuring a family of three.
The Israeli military warned residents of southern Lebanon not to move south of the Zahrani River.
Lebanese officials accused Israel of violating the truce through continued strikes and military activity in southern Lebanon. ■
