Israeli strikes kill man and daughter in Lebanon via consecutive drone hits as US-brokered peace talks approach

“An Israeli drone targeted and killed a man and his 12-year-old daughter in southern Lebanon on Saturday with three consecutive strikes as they attempted to flee on a motorcycle, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported, marking a sharp escalation ahead of scheduled US-brokered peace talks between the two nations. Fatal Triple Drone Strike The Lebanese Health Ministry provided details of the incident, stating that the victims were a Syrian man and his daughter. After the initial strike, the pair managed to move away from the point of impact, but the drone re-targeted them a second time, killing the father instantly. The 12-year-old girl then fled approximately 100 metres before the drone conducted a third, direct strike on her. She was transported to the Nabih Berri Governmental Hospital in Nabatieh with severe injuries and underwent surgery, but later succumbed to her wounds. The ministry’s statement condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric targeting and deliberate violence against civilians and children in Lebanon in an open series of serious violations of international humanitarian law.” Widespread Strikes and Direct Peace Talks The fatality occurred amidst a broader intensification of military activity in the region, which coincided with significant diplomatic announcements. On Friday, the US State Department announced that a new round of intensive talks between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled for May 14 and 15, hosted under United States auspices. Building on an April 23 round convened by US President Donald Trump, these negotiations aim to establish a framework for lasting peace, secure the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty over its territory, and address Israel’s core security concerns, the US statement said. The US emphasised that comprehensive peace remains contingent on the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, which it designates as a foreign terrorist organisation. Lebanese sources indicated these will be the first “direct” negotiations following preparatory meetings held after a recent ceasefire announcement. Lebanon’s delegation, which includes current and former ambassadors Nada Hamadeh Mouawad and Simon Karam alongside a military representative, plans to address five key points: a definitive ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, release of prisoners, the return of displaced citizens, and deployment of the Lebanese Army. Continued Escalation and Casualties Despite the diplomatic track, the situation on the ground remained volatile. Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military intensified airstrikes and issued evacuation warnings for towns in the Nabatieh and Tyre districts. A separate strike targeted a car near the Muhammad Saad Secondary School between Burj Rahal and Abbasiya in the Tyre district, resulting in three fatalities. Additional Israeli strikes hit a motorcycle in Haris in the Bint Jbeil district, as well as locations in Zrarieh (following an evacuation warning), Maaroub, Barish, Tayr Debba, and a home in Burj Rahal. An Israeli drone also struck the town of Mansouri. In Nabatieh, missiles targeted the university neighbourhood, while an Israeli Apache helicopter conducted a machine-gun sweep over the outskirts of Deir Siriane. In a statement, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it had targeted a gathering of Israeli army vehicles in the town of Rachaf with artillery shells. Heightened Security in Russia Amid Drone Attacks and Surprise Ceasefire While the conflict intensified in the Middle East, parallel security concerns dominated the Victory Day commemorations in Russia. US President Donald Trump, who convened the upcoming Israel-Lebanon talks, unexpectedly announced on Friday evening a ceasefire for the Ukraine conflict to last from May 9 to 11. Prior to Trump’s announcement, mutual truce proposals had collapsed. Putin had previously announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8 to 9, which the Russian Defence Ministry stated it expected Ukraine to observe. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed a ceasefire beginning May 5 or 6, offering an extension if Russia halted its combat operations. This year’s commemorations in Moscow were conducted under heightened security measures following a dramatic increase in Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia. Russian officials reported a widespread drone offensive on Friday spanning from the south to the Ural Mountains, approximately 1,700 kilometres from the border. In a rare attack on Moscow, a drone hit a luxury residential building about 6 kilometres from the Kremlin. Another strike in Rostov-on-Don damaged the administrative building at the air traffic control centre, halting operations at airports in 13 southern cities and affecting at least 14,000 passengers. Russia had warned that it would target central Kyiv if any attempts were made to disrupt the Victory Day events. Scaled-Back Victory Day Parade As a consequence of the security situation, the May 9 Red Square parade was notably scaled back. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed last week that the event would proceed without heavy military equipment for the first time since 2007. Students from military colleges and youth institutions did not participate, although the traditional air show was maintained. In his address to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, Putin said, “fighters of the special military operation” are battling “aggression backed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)”. He stated that Russia is developing modern weapons based on its combat experience and that the country’s fate “is determined by the people”. Several major Russian cities, including Perm, reduced their celebrations or cancelled them entirely this year. To enforce security, Russian authorities suspended mobile and occasionally fixed internet services in a number of cities, with Moscow experiencing intermittent mobile internet outages since May 5. This led state-controlled Sberbank to advise customers to use ATMs and physical branches. Following the parade, Putin was expected to meet with several international leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, and leaders from Central Asian nations. The cessation of hostilities announced by the US President went into effect on May 9. The post Israeli strikes kill man and daughter in Lebanon via consecutive drone hits as US-brokered peace talks approach first appeared on Dailynewsegypt .

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