JERUSALEM: An Israeli airstrike on Kfarhata, a village in south Lebanon, killed seven people on Sunday, including a 4-year-old child, Lebanon’s health ministry said in a statement.

Another Israeli attack on the Jnah neighbourhood in Beirut killed four people and injured 39 others, the ministry added.

The strike on Kfarhata followed an overnight evacuation order by the Israeli military instructing residents to leave the village. As Lebanese Christians, who make up roughly a third of the population, marked Easter Sunday, the country experienced one of its most violent days since fighting with Israel erupted early last month.

Throughout the day, Beirut echoed with the sounds of strikes and the screech of low-flying planes overhead. The southern suburbs of the capital were hit by eight airstrikes, state media reported.

Earlier on Sunday, the Lebanese army said a soldier had been killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon.

On Saturday, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning targeting Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing with Syria, the main entry point connecting the two countries, alleging it was being used by the Lebanese Hezbollah armed group for military purposes.

Israel’s military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday and pledged to intensify strikes against Hezbollah.

“The IDF is striking Hezbollah with determination, extensively, and across multiple fronts,” Zamir said during a visit to Ras el-Bayada area in southern Lebanon, according to a statement.

“This will take time but we will continue to significantly degrade their capabilities,” he said, adding that disarming Hezbollah continues to be Israel’s “top-tier goal”.

“The IDF is engaging Hezbollah in precise operations in order to strengthen defence and push the threat away from northern communities. We will remain on this line as long as required,” Zamir added.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2026