Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the most severe attacks since the establishment of a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah in June. Reports from Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency indicate 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. Another strike in Deir al-Zahrani village resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.
An agreement termed as a “framework agreement” was announced by Israel and the Lebanese government on June 26, outlining plans for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon in return for the disarmament of Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran. The agreement also includes provisions for steps towards a potential peace deal between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war nearly eight decades after Israel’s establishment. Despite this, Hezbollah has declined direct negotiations and was not part of the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has condemned the airstrikes, emphasizing that they instill fear among residents and hinder efforts to maintain stability in the region. He highlighted that the victims were not military targets and stressed the responsibility of the Lebanese government to address any military infrastructure within the country. Furthermore, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun remarked that the airstrikes serve as a clear message against ongoing negotiation efforts and American initiatives aimed at implementing the agreement.
The intense Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted the strategic Ali Taher hill, overlooking parts of Nabatiyeh city, and main access routes. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to actions against Israeli soldiers in the area, asserting their commitment to protecting civilians and soldiers from harm. Hezbollah, in response, urged the Lebanese government to halt the aggression and criticized pursuing talks with Israel, accusing the U.S. of complicity in Israeli actions.
In a separate incident, two Israeli soldiers lost their lives in an explosion in southern Lebanon earlier this month, marking the first Israeli fatalities since the truce. Lebanon and Israel have engaged in seven rounds of talks, with Hezbollah refusing to disarm and criticizing the Lebanese government for concessions without ensuring Israeli withdrawal. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began in March, resulting in over 4,000 casualties in Lebanon, including numerous civilians. On the Israeli side, around 40 soldiers and three civilians have been killed.