Lebanon is facing an acute food crisis as Israeli attacks continue, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). A WFP spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the country is experiencing the most severe level of food insecurity, with the agency focusing its efforts on the poorest and most vulnerable populations. The spokesperson emphasized that a lasting ceasefire is the only way to resolve the crisis.

The WFP reported that deteriorating security conditions are hindering relief operations across Lebanon. The conflict has caused extensive damage to the agricultural sector, further worsening the food shortage. The organization warned that the collapse of supply chains and disruptions in agricultural production have placed Lebanon’s food security under serious threat.

The WFP’s assessment highlights the growing humanitarian strain in Lebanon, where ongoing conflict and logistical challenges are compounding the risk of widespread hunger.

A report from Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth claims that Hezbollah’s new fiber‑optic drones are undermining Israel’s multi‑billion‑dollar defense systems during clashes in the Taybeh area of southern Lebanon. One incident involved a drone approaching an Israeli medical evacuation helicopter, forcing ground troops to shoot it down after electronic defenses failed. The drone exploded only a few meters away.

Unlike conventional drones that rely on radio or satellite signals, these first‑person‑view models are controlled through fiber‑optic cables extending up to 30 kilometers. Experts cited in the report say the drones are resistant to jamming and nearly invisible to radar due to their lightweight fiberglass construction. Military analysts suggest they can bypass Israel’s “Trophy” active protection system designed to intercept incoming missiles and shells.

Some Israeli units have resorted to using nets to trap drones, though this is not considered an effective solution. Analysts link the technology’s development to lessons from recent conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Despite vulnerabilities in bad weather, the low‑cost drones pose a significant new challenge to high‑tech defense systems.

The Israeli military reported that one of its drones was shot down over southern Lebanon. According to the army, the drone was brought down by Hezbollah using a surface-to-air missile. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah also claimed responsibility, saying it had downed an Israeli Hermes 450Z drone over the Nabatieh area, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The incident has heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, an area already prone to periodic clashes and military exchanges. Both sides confirmed the downing of the drone, though no further details were provided about casualties or damage.

The development is expected to further strain the fragile security situation in the border region, with observers noting increased volatility following the latest confrontation.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that there is no ceasefire with Lebanon during a visit to Israeli troops deployed in southern Lebanon. He emphasized that the army’s mission, as directed by political leadership, is to prevent direct attacks on Israeli communities and to maintain their current defensive position. Halevi noted that forces may need to remain stationed in the area to sustain this security posture.

He further instructed troops to continue fighting in the absence of a ceasefire, aiming to eliminate threats from northern settlements, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and target militants. According to the report, since March 2, Israeli forces have killed at least 2,290 people in Lebanon, and around 1.2 million have been displaced across the country due to Israeli attacks.

The statements underscore Israel’s continued military engagement in Lebanon and the absence of any truce, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll and displacement within Lebanese territory.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Israel is mistaken if it believes it can ensure security by carrying out destruction in border areas and violating international law. He emphasized that the only way to secure the borders is through the full presence and authority of the Lebanese state across southern Lebanon.

Aoun said the Lebanese government is making maximum efforts to resolve the ongoing situation and stressed that a lasting solution can only come through dialogue. However, he insisted that Israel must first implement a ceasefire before any talks can begin. The president added that Lebanon is waiting for Washington’s response, as the United States is expected to finalize the date for peace talks. Preliminary discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives took place in Washington last week, where Lebanon proposed extending the ceasefire by one month.

Since taking office in January 2025, Aoun has prioritized establishing state military control in southern Lebanon instead of Hezbollah’s influence, believing this will ensure long-term peace.

A UN-backed report has warned that more than 1.24 million people in Lebanon are at risk of severe food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The joint statement, released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, projected that between April and August 2026, nearly one in four people in the country could face acute food shortages.

The report noted a sharp deterioration in conditions compared to before the war spread in March 2026, when about 874,000 people, or 17 percent of the population, were already experiencing severe food insecurity. It attributed the worsening crisis to continued fighting, mass displacement, and mounting economic pressures.

The statement further cautioned that if the conflict persists, Lebanon’s food crisis could deepen in the coming months, posing serious humanitarian challenges for the country.

At least eight people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks struck several towns, including Majdal Zoun, Zebqit, and Jouaiya, killing civilians and rescue workers. Among the dead were three Civil Defense rescuers who were trapped under debris while conducting operations. The ministry also reported multiple injuries, including two Lebanese soldiers.

The Israeli military said it targeted and destroyed a large Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon, claiming it was used by specially trained fighters. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued since early March, with both sides accusing each other of violating the April 17 ceasefire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of breaching international laws protecting civilians.

Israel’s foreign minister stated that the country has no plans to occupy Lebanese territory and would withdraw once Hezbollah and other armed groups are neutralized. The Israeli army also issued evacuation warnings to residents in several southern towns before launching the strikes.

Israeli forces have continued their attacks in southern Lebanon, according to the country’s National News Agency (NNA). The report said that early morning airstrikes targeted the town of Hanine, destroying several houses. Overnight explosions were also heard in Naqoura, while air and ground assaults were reported in Khiam.

NNA stated that the ongoing strikes across several southern areas have spread fear among residents. The situation remains tense, and there are concerns that conditions could deteriorate further if the attacks persist.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, did not provide details on casualties or official responses from either side.

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district killed at least five people, including three health workers, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. The attack occurred in the town of Majdal Zoun near the Israeli border, as reported by Al Jazeera on Tuesday. Two Lebanese soldiers who were with rescue teams at the site were also injured.

The ministry stated that the three health workers had been trapped under debris following a previous strike before being killed in this latest attack. The incident adds to the ongoing violence along the Lebanon-Israel border, where repeated strikes have caused casualties and damage in recent weeks.

Authorities have not released further details about the victims or the extent of the damage, and no immediate comment from Israel was mentioned in the report.

Lebanon’s political landscape has been shaken by the government’s decision to engage in direct talks with Israel. The move has drawn fierce criticism from Hezbollah, which dismissed the discussions as ineffective and accused the government of lacking the leverage needed to pressure Israel. Hezbollah described the situation as bordering on treason, with its parliament member Ali Ammar vowing that the bloodshed in southern Lebanon would be avenged.

In response, Lebanon’s president sharply rebuked Hezbollah, alleging that the group was acting in the interests of a foreign power, specifically Iran, and pushing the country toward war. The exchange of accusations has deepened divisions between the government and Hezbollah, raising concerns about Lebanon’s internal stability.

The escalating rhetoric highlights the fragile balance of power in Lebanon, where efforts to resolve disputes through dialogue are clashing with militant resistance, potentially complicating future peace initiatives.

A visual investigation by Al Jazeera’s fact-checking team has revealed that the historic city center of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon has been reduced to rubble. The 400-year-old Grand Mosque, once a symbol of the city’s cultural heritage, has been destroyed along with more than 1,500 buildings. The report attributes the devastation to Israel’s ongoing military operations in the region.

According to the investigation, satellite imagery and open-source intelligence analysis indicate that Israel has implemented a deliberate policy aimed at making southern Lebanon permanently uninhabitable. The destruction pattern in Bint Jbeil closely resembles the devastation seen in Gaza, with residential and cultural structures systematically demolished.

The report concludes that Israel’s “wipe out” strategy in southern Lebanon has placed local communities in extreme distress, effectively erasing parts of the region from the map.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health has reported that 2,521 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory since the assaults began on March 2 this year. The updated figures, released through the National News Agency (NNA) on Monday, also indicate that 7,804 individuals have been injured during the same period.

Although a ceasefire is officially in effect between Israel and Lebanon, the truce is becoming increasingly fragile. According to the NNA, at least 22 people have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past two days despite the ongoing ceasefire. The situation has drawn growing concern from the international community.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that while the ceasefire exists on paper, hostilities have not fully stopped and the region appears to be sliding back toward instability.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naeem Qassem has urged the Lebanese government to continue internal dialogue regarding talks with Israel, asserting that Israel has reached a stalemate in its efforts to eliminate Hezbollah. Speaking on April 27, 2026, Qassem claimed that despite U.S.-backed Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon since September 23, 2024, the group has not been defeated.

Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel and outlined five preconditions for any future talks: ending aggression by land, sea, and air; Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories; release of prisoners; return of displaced residents to their towns and villages; and reconstruction. He emphasized that Lebanese authorities should resist foreign pressure and prioritize national unity and sovereignty.

Reaffirming Hezbollah’s stance, Qassem vowed not to disarm and pledged to continue defensive resistance for Lebanon and its people. He declared that the group would respond to Israeli aggression and would not retreat or surrender under any threat.

Israel has stated that its recent attacks in southern Lebanon are part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement. According to the Israeli government, the operations against Hezbollah and the retention of occupied Lebanese territories are being carried out with the support and cooperation of the United States. The report was published by Al Jazeera.

The Israeli military doctrine emphasizes the creation of a so-called buffer zone beyond its borders, which it considers crucial for national security. Israel reportedly has no intention of withdrawing from these areas, describing the so-called Yellow Line as flexible, a stance seen in both Gaza and Lebanon. Its control extends beyond ground presence, using shelling and airstrikes to exert influence over wider areas.

Israel maintains that all these actions fall within the framework of the ceasefire, while any counterattacks by Hezbollah are viewed as violations of that agreement. This interpretation underpins Israel’s accusation that Hezbollah is responsible for breaking the ceasefire.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that there is no possibility of direct negotiations with Israel, reaffirming the group’s commitment to armed resistance against Israeli aggression. He stated that Hezbollah will not lay down its weapons and criticized the Lebanese government for rushing into unnecessary concessions. Qassem urged authorities to halt direct talks and instead pursue indirect channels.

Despite a declared ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, cross-border exchanges of fire have continued. Hezbollah has launched drone and rocket attacks against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and across the border, asserting that it will not rely on what it called failed diplomacy. The group pledged to resist Israeli airstrikes, bombardments, and other military actions during the truce.

Residents in southern Lebanon described the situation as a “nominal ceasefire,” as Israeli shelling persisted from the first day of the truce, which has now been extended for another three weeks.