In a move that can only be described as 'classic,' Israel launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon just hours after its envoys agreed with the Lebanese government to extend a ceasefire. The strikes killed at least six people, including three paramedics at a health centre, because nothing says 'peace' like bombing the medics.

But wait, there's more. Israel also confirmed it killed Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a targeted strike in Gaza on Friday. Al-Haddad, one of the senior commanders behind the October 7, 2023 attacks that killed about 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages, was confirmed dead by both a Hamas spokesperson and his own family. His body was wrapped in Hamas and Palestinian flags at his funeral in Gaza City, because even in death, the symbolism must be on point.

Al-Haddad was a member of the Qassam Brigades' Majd section, tasked with hunting collaborators, and sat on Hamas' Military Council. His two sons were killed earlier in the war, and Friday's strike also claimed his wife and daughter. The Israeli army chief of staff called his killing a 'significant operation,' which is one way to describe killing a man's entire family.

Meanwhile, the region teeters on the brink of full-scale war. Reports suggest Donald Trump has been briefed on military options in Iran, should he decide to break a five-week-old truce and resume strikes for better negotiating leverage. Because nothing says 'diplomacy' like threatening more bombs.

Back in Lebanon, at least five villages were hit by strikes, with Israeli forces claiming to target 'Hezbollah infrastructure.' Lebanese authorities reported an airstrike on a clinic run by the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Committee, killing six, including three paramedics. Israel said it killed militants preparing to fire rockets, but the paramedics might beg to differ if they weren't, you know, dead.

The strikes triggered a fresh exodus of civilians from the south, just hours after envoys from Israel and Lebanon agreed in Washington to extend a month-long, partly observed ceasefire for 45 more days and establish a US-supervised security mechanism. Hezbollah denounced the talks, and Israel has only partly observed the ceasefire Trump ordered on 17 April, focusing operations in the south while sparing Beirut and the north.

Israel has kept up operations in Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the fragile eight-month-old ceasefire by refusing to disarm. Hamas blames Israel for failing to abide by the first phase, continuing airstrikes and stealthily moving the demarcation line. In recent days, Israeli media has predicted a return to full-scale war as truces fray. Pakistani-led mediation has failed to bring progress in the Iran war, with negotiating positions still far apart. So, in summary: ceasefires are extended, then ignored; strikes kill, and the cycle continues. Stay classy, Middle East.