Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the most lethal attacks since a fragile truce was established between Israel and Hezbollah in June. Reports from Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency indicated that one airstrike, targeting a residence on the outskirts of Ansar village, claimed the lives of seven individuals, including three children, and injured two others. The second strike in Deir al-Zahrani village resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.
Israeli and Lebanese authorities had reached a “framework agreement” on June 26, outlining a plan for Israeli troops to pull back from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. The agreement also aimed at progressing towards a potential peace deal between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war nearly eight decades after the establishment of Israel. However, Hezbollah, refusing direct negotiations, was not part of the agreement.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, stating that they instill fear among residents and hinder efforts to stabilize the region. He emphasized that the victims of the airstrikes were not military targets and underscored the responsibility of the Lebanese government to address any military infrastructure within the country. President Joseph Aoun expressed that the strikes sent a clear message against ongoing negotiation efforts and American initiatives to implement the agreement.
The intense Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted the strategic Ali Taher hill, overlooking parts of Nabatiyeh city in southern Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire, Israel’s military continued its frequent attacks in the area, north of the Litani River, a de facto boundary in Lebanon with significant Israeli military presence to the south. The Israeli military justified the strikes as a response to actions against its soldiers, vowing to protect Israeli civilians and soldiers from harm.
Hezbollah later urged the Lebanese government to halt the aggression and criticized pursuing talks with Israel, accusing the U.S. of complicity in Israeli actions. The group warned Israel against further aggressive acts and reaffirmed its readiness to respond appropriately to any provocations. Earlier in the month, two Israeli soldiers were killed in a blast in southern Lebanon, marking the first Israeli casualties post-truce. Despite seven rounds of talks between Lebanon and Israel, Hezbollah remains adamant on retaining its arms, citing concerns over Israeli withdrawal assurances.
The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in March, following cross-border rocket attacks by Hezbollah in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The toll from Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon has surpassed 4,000 lives lost, including numerous civilians, while Israel reported around 40 military and civilian casualties.