Lebanon PM accuses Israel of 'scorched-earth policy' as truce collapses and strikes intensify in the south

A shattered truce and a 'dangerous escalation'

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a televised address on Saturday, 30 May, denouncing what he called a 'dangerous and unprecedented Israeli escalation' in the south of the country. His remarks came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces had advanced deeper into Lebanon. Salam warned that the country was facing a critical moment and called for 'a swift and real ceasefire'.

In light of the dangerous and unprecedented Israeli escalation in recent days, it is necessary to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to achieve a rapid and genuine ceasefire.

A truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah officially took effect on 17 April, but it has never been observed. Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, justifying their continued attacks by the other's alleged breaches.

'Scorched-earth policy and collective punishment'

In his address, Salam directly accused Israel of pursuing a 'scorched-earth policy and collective punishment' by 'destroying towns and villages and forcing their inhabitants into exile'. He asserted that such actions would bring 'neither security nor stability' to Israel. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Salam jointly condemned what they described as Israel's 'condemnable practices', the expansion of its attacks, and the 'continuation of bombardments and bulldozing of homes and historical sites'.

Israel is pursuing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment by destroying towns and villages and forcing their inhabitants into exile.

Salam further argued that under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah, Israel was attempting to 'uproot Lebanon's memory and erase the history of its people'.

Fresh strikes and evacuation orders

On Saturday, the Israeli military issued fresh evacuation warnings for residents of more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon, including areas near Nabatieh and others in the east. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported several Israeli attacks in the south. The Lebanese army announced that two of its soldiers were 'seriously wounded' by a targeted Israeli drone strike on their vehicle near Nabatieh. Artillery fire also targeted the vicinity of the medieval Beaufort fortress, a day after Lebanon's culture minister expressed concern over the 'serious danger' posed by Israeli attacks to the country's heritage.

Hezbollah's response and cross-border fire

Hezbollah said it launched multiple attacks targeting northern Israel on Saturday and clashed with Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon. The group stated it was confronting Israeli forces around the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Yohmor al-Shaqif, and Dibbine, adding that the troops 'had not yet succeeded in taking control of the towns'. An Israeli military spokesperson told AFP that 'more than 25' projectiles, including rockets and drones, were launched from Lebanon toward Israel during the day, triggering air alert sirens in the north.

Diplomacy in Washington

Despite the violence, Salam defended his government's direct negotiations with Israel, which Hezbollah vehemently opposes. Military delegations from both countries held security talks in Washington on Friday, 30 May, with a fourth round of US-brokered political negotiations scheduled for 2–3 June. Salam acknowledged that the outcome was 'not guaranteed' but described the talks as 'the least costly path for our country and our people'. A US statement issued after Friday's meeting made no mention of the truce, noting only that the 'productive military-to-military discussions' would inform the upcoming political meeting.