Israeli Strike Kills 3-Year-Old Mila Zayyat and Her Mother in Southern Lebanon Despite Ceasefire
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Middle East
BEIRUT — Israeli airstrikes on the village of Tayr Debba in southern Lebanon have killed 3-year-old Mila Zayyat and her mother, Ruqaya Zaidan, Lebanese officials reported . A third woman, Madeleine Mughniyeh, was also killed in the attack .
The strike, which occurred overnight, targeted the family’s home in Tayr Debba, a village in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border . The attack adds to mounting civilian casualties in the region despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on April 17 .
🕯️ Funerals Held Amid Ongoing Violations
On Wednesday, mourners gathered for the funeral of Mila Zayyat (reported as both 3 and 4 years old by different sources ), her mother Ruqaya Zaidan, and Madeleine Mughniyeh at a cemetery in southern Lebanon . Images from the funeral show grieving family members carrying the small bodies of the victims, wrapped in white burial shrouds.
Since the ceasefire began, Israeli forces have continued to strike southern Lebanon near the border, where residents have been warned by the Israeli military not to return to their homes .
📊 Civilian Death Toll Mounts
The deaths come as the civilian toll in southern Lebanon continues to rise:
| Period | Reported Casualties |
|---|---|
| March 2 – present | Over 2,500 killed, more than 7,800 injured |
| Since ceasefire (April 17) | Multiple strikes, including 14 killed on April 25 |
| Single strike (April 25) | 14 killed, including two children and two women |
| April 28 strike (Majdal Zoun) | 5 killed, including three emergency workers |
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned recent Israeli strikes, describing the targeting of Civil Defence personnel as “a new described war crime committed by Israel” and “a flagrant violation of the principles and rules of international humanitarian law” .
🏠 ‘Nowhere Is Safe’
The strike on Tayr Debba follows a pattern of attacks that have killed civilians in their homes, on roads, and in areas considered safe . According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks have destroyed entire residential buildings, with excavators still removing rubble in Tyre a week after one strike that flattened six buildings and killed at least 27 people .
The Israeli military has stated that its strikes target Hezbollah infrastructure and military personnel. However, Lebanese officials and survivors report that civilians with no connection to the militant group have been killed in their homes .
🕊️ Ceasefire Under Strain
The 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on April 17 , but has been repeatedly violated by Israeli airstrikes . President Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire last week , but strikes have continued daily .
Israel has stated it will not withdraw its forces from a declared “security zone” extending approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanese territory , and Hezbollah has reserved the right to resist what it terms “Israeli occupation” .
The deaths of Mila Zayyat, her mother, and the mounting civilian casualties highlight the human cost of the ongoing conflict as families in southern Lebanon continue to bury their dead.
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