BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Army said on Thursday that four of its soldiers were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on Wednesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said strikes in Lebanon against Hezbollah will continue.

This photo taken on April 9, 2026 shows damaged buildings after Israeli airstrikes a day earlier in Beirut, Lebanon. (Photo: Xinhua)

In a statement, the army command's Directorate of Orientation identified the victims as First Sergeant Hussein Khaled Yassin, killed in Sidon; First Class Soldier Mohammad Bassam Shheitli and recruit Ali Hassan Qassem, both killed in Shmustar in Baalbek; and student non-commissioned officer Ali Nassreddine, killed in Mansoura in Hermel, noting they were killed as a result of Israeli strikes.

Netanyahu wrote on his X account that "Whoever acts against Israeli civilians will be targeted," and "We will continue to strike Hezbollah wherever necessary until full security is restored for residents of the north."

Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine said on Thursday that the death toll from Israeli strikes on Wednesday had risen to 203, with more than 1,000 people injured, after Israel launched large-scale strikes across the country.

Israel carried out on Wednesday its largest attack in Lebanon during this war, claiming that its fight against Hezbollah is not part of the two-week ceasefire deal with Iran. The attacks killed more than 200 people and wounded hundreds of others.

The ceasefire was announced early Wednesday by the United States and Iran. The office of Netanyahu said Israel would comply with the truce but would continue military operations in Lebanon.