Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the deadliest assaults since a delicate 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 people, including three children, and left two wounded. Another strike on Deir al-Zahrani village resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.
Israel and the Lebanese government reached a “framework agreement” on June 26, outlining plans for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament. The agreement also laid out steps toward a potential peace treaty between the two countries, which technically remain in a state of war almost 80 years after Israel’s formation. Despite this, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has rejected direct negotiations and was not part of the agreement.
The recent strikes, occurring two months after the truce came into effect, are the deadliest since then. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the Israeli airstrikes, emphasizing that the attacks instill fear among residents and hinder efforts to stabilize the region’s situation.
Prime Minister Salam stressed the importance of Lebanese authorities dealing with any military infrastructure within the country and called on Israel to cease escalating the situation. President Joseph Aoun described the strikes as a direct challenge to negotiation efforts and American initiatives aimed at implementing the agreement.
Furthermore, intense Israeli airstrikes targeted the strategic Ali Taher hill early Saturday, overlooking parts of Nabatiyeh city and vital connecting roads. Despite the truce, Israel’s military continues to conduct frequent attacks in the area, situated north of the Litani River, which has functioned as a de facto border in Lebanon with significant areas under Israeli military control.
Israel’s military justified the strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in response to alleged actions against Israeli soldiers in the region, emphasizing their commitment to protecting civilians and soldiers from harm. In response, Hezbollah called on the Lebanese government to halt the aggression and criticized pursuing direct talks with Israel, accusing the U.S. of complicity in Israeli actions.
The ongoing tensions have escalated since the recent explosion in southern Lebanon that claimed the lives of two Israeli soldiers, marking the first Israeli casualties post-truce. Despite seven rounds of talks between Lebanon and Israel, Hezbollah remains adamant about retaining its weapons and accuses the Lebanese government of making concessions without ensuring Israeli withdrawal.
The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks in retaliation to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The violence has resulted in over 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, including numerous civilians, while Israel has reported casualties on its side as well.