Israel Kills Over 250 in Deadliest Lebanon Strikes Despite U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Israel launched what it described as its most powerful attacks on Lebanon on April 8, killing at least 254 people.

“By the Palestine Media Agency, April 9, 2026”

Agence Media Palestine

The strikes hit apartment buildings, residential streets and crowded commercial areas across central Beirut and the southern suburbs.

Agence Media Palestine

Lebanon's civil defense service reported 254 dead and 1,165 injured.

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the preliminary death toll at 203.

The bombardment came despite a two-week ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran announced the night before.

Israel and Trump insisted Lebanon was not included.

The Israeli military said it hit about 100 command posts and military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in 10 minutes.

The Lebanese prime minister declared a national day of mourning.

The strikes came hours after the US and Iran announced a ceasefire, with Pakistan confirming Lebanon was included.

Iran's parliamentary speaker said there was no room for retreat or evasion.

Al Jazeera

The White House approved a statement saying exactly that, then reversed itself once the bombs began to fall.

Trump told PBS that Lebanon is not included because of Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office rejected Pakistan's announcement.

Israel remains determined to degrade Hezbollah even as it allows the US to lead it into talks with Iran.

The contradiction threatened to cleave divisions in the US and Israel's wartime alliance.

The Israeli strikes exacerbated a humanitarian crisis that had already displaced more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon.

Hospitals were overwhelmed.

The UN was aiming to support 1.5 million vulnerable people with less than a third of the emergency flash appeal funded.

More than 138,000 civilians were sheltering in 678 collective sites.

The health system was under severe pressure.

At least 106 attacks on healthcare were reported.

More than 50 health workers were killed.

At least 620,000 women and girls were displaced.

Lebanese officials sought to negotiate directly with Israel to halt the fighting.

President Joseph Aoun had ruled out using force to disarm Hezbollah.

Al-Watan

The Lebanese government made the historic announcement that it was open to negotiate directly with Israel.

Israel so far has ignored the offer.

Hezbollah insisted the ceasefire should include Lebanon.

The continued strikes raised fears that Israel plans to create a depopulated buffer zone.