Lebanon reports over 4,246 deaths from Israeli attacks since March; Trump speaks out

The Lebanese Health Ministry has announced that at least 4,246 people have died and 12,190 others have been injured in Israeli attacks since March 2.

These numbers were shared on Saturday. They show the heavy human cost of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, which has gotten worse this year. The ministry said the casualties include women, children, and healthcare workers.

The fighting escalated when Hezbollah launched missile and drone attacks on Israel on March 2. They called it a retaliation tied to wider regional issues involving Iran.

In response, Israel carried out large air and ground operations aimed at Hezbollah positions, especially in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. This fighting has also caused damage to civilian buildings like hospitals, power stations, and water facilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Israel's military actions in Lebanon. He said, "You do not have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they’re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you," while speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France.

There have been several ceasefires announced since the fighting started, but they have often failed as attacks and counterattacks continued. The U.S. and other international partners are working on negotiations to achieve a lasting ceasefire and safe arrangements for southern Lebanon.

Lebanese officials have warned that the healthcare system is under severe pressure due to attacks on civilian areas, medical facilities, and emergency services.

On Friday, a preliminary agreement was reached in the U.S. after four days of talks. Israel is expected to pull back from two locations in southern Lebanon and give control of those areas to the Lebanese Armed Forces. A senior Israeli official said these talks, mediated by the U.S., involved Israel, Lebanon, and the United States and aim to set the stage for a wider peace deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from positions above and below the Litani River, impacting Israeli-controlled areas in southern Lebanon. The agreement also includes a plan to disarm Hezbollah, which the group has refused.