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Israel intensifies carpet bombing of south Lebanon following Trump’s claims of new ‘ceasefire’

June 3, 2026

The Israeli military continued to carry out brutal strikes across south Lebanon on 2 June despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a so-called ‘ceasefire’ the night before.

Israeli warplanes bombed the southern Lebanese town of Burj al-Shemaly on Tuesday afternoon, home to one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

BREAKING | Israeli warplanes bomb the southern Lebanese town of Burj al-Shemaly, home to one of largest Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/LxrcAlyOUt

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 2, 2026

Heavy strikes hit Mayfadoun, Qlaileh, and Al-Hanniye as well. Video footage showed large clouds of smoke.

Srifa, Burj Qalaouiyah, and Al-Ghandouriya in the districts of Tyre (Sur) and Bint Jbeil also came under a series of air raids and artillery attacks.

Additionally, Israeli warplanes struck Al-Mansouri in Tyre, as well as the town of Daabal and several other areas. Israel also bombed the southern Lebanese towns of Harouf, Zefta, and Al-Housh.

BREAKING | Israeli warplanes bomb the southern Lebanese towns of Harouf, Zefta, and Al-Housh. pic.twitter.com/olvc4t49ax

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 2, 2026

At least eight people have been killed since Trump’s announcement late on Monday, including a dentist and his two children.

Earlier on 2 June, Israel issued new forced displacement orders for the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh in its entirety – triggering a new wave of displacement.

Israeli drones have been buzzing over the Lebanese capital nonstop since Trump unilaterally announced a ‘truce.’

'Neck-deep in the Lebanese mud': Israel in meltdown after Netanyahu cancels Beirut strikeshttps://t.co/plMShMeNnf

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 2, 2026

Tel Aviv is now openly declaring its right to attack Beirut, just hours after the Israeli army was forced to backtrack on a massive wave of strikes planned against the capital. The Israeli cancellation was a result of US pressure prompted by Iranian threats to end talks with Washington and resume strikes on Israel.

“Dahiye in Beirut should be treated like northern communities in Israel, and if Israeli communities continue to be attacked, we will turn and strike the Dahiye neighborhood in Beirut. The test will be simple and will become clear in the coming days,” Israeli War Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

“The US approved … that continued attacks on the north will be met with attacks on the southern suburbs. It informed the government in Lebanon of this. The Israeli army is considering carrying out additional operations in Lebanon. The long-term goal is to disarm Hezbollah, while the immediate goal is to dismantle weapons south of the Litani River under Israeli control,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah made several statements on Tuesday. The first said it targeted a Merkava tank in the town of Hadatha in south Lebanon at 1:00 am on Tuesday.

The second statement said it carried out several attacks on Israeli occupation troops in Hadatha during the early hours of the day, forcing the army to retreat toward Rmeish under the cover of heavy bombardment.

Hezbollah also announced several “confirmed” drone hits on troops and tanks in Zawtar al-Sharqiya. One of the tanks “was seen burning,” Hezbollah wrote on its military media page.

The resistance group, additionally, released footage of its rocket attacks on Israel’s northern settlements from the past couple of days.

VIDEO | Hezbollah releases footage showing an operation, dated 30 May, targeting the settlements of Nahariya, Karmiel, Safad, and Kiryat Shmona using rocket barrages. pic.twitter.com/DV1fcEu20A

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 2, 2026

Attacks across the border have ceased, for the most part – with the exception of a suspected Hezbollah drone incursion in Kiryat Shmona on Tuesday morning.

The resistance has repeatedly vowed it will immediately respond to Israeli violations and occupation of towns during any truce agreement, swearing it will not go back to the November 2024 agreement, which allowed Israel to strike at will.

Israel’s continued escalation in Lebanon on 2 June coincided with a new round of direct talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments in Washington. The talks are a violation of Lebanese law and are rejected by Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington says direct talks with a Lebanese delegation are underway, as Israeli warplanes continue bombing south Lebanon, killing and wounding civilians. pic.twitter.com/C299bt3KBz

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 2, 2026

According to Lebanese news station MTV, Beirut will demand a full ceasefire during the talks.

The report contradicted an official statement from the Lebanese embassy in Washington, which claimed Hezbollah had agreed to a US proposal calling for a mutual cessation of attacks, under which Israel would refrain from strikes in the capital only, in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from attacks on Israel.

The embassy added that direct negotiations scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday would seek to expand the ceasefire framework to cover all Lebanese territory. The statement, also shared by the Lebanese Presidency, claimed that the framework would be expanded to encompass all Lebanese territories, although no timeline or mechanism for such an expansion was provided.

Hezbollah rejected any ceasefire that does not include a full end to Israeli attacks across all of Lebanon. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said the US proposal was not acceptable.

Netanyahu threatened on Monday evening to go ahead with planned strikes on Beirut if Hezbollah did not cease attacks.

Israel bombed a hospital in southern Lebanon on 1 June. Four were killed and at least 127 were wounded. Over 3,400 people have been killed by Israel in Lebanon since 2 March 2026.

BREAKING | Israel attacks the vicinity of Jabal Amel Hospital in Tyre, south Lebanon. Injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/CaQklCqT9F

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 1, 2026