Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the most lethal assaults since a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah was established in June.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency reported that one airstrike, targeting a residence on the outskirts of Ansar village, claimed the lives of seven individuals, including three children, and left two wounded. Another strike in the village of Deir al-Zahrani resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.
Following a “framework agreement” announced on June 26 by Israel and the Lebanese government, outlining plans for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament, efforts towards a future peace accord between the two nations have been initiated. Notably, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has declined direct negotiations and was not party to the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the recent airstrikes as hindering stability efforts and intimidating civilians in their homes. Salam emphasized that the victims of the Ansar airstrike were non-military individuals, stressing that addressing military infrastructure within Lebanon is the responsibility of the Lebanese state. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun viewed the strikes as a message challenging negotiation initiatives and American-led endeavors to implement the agreement.
Despite the truce, intense Israeli airstrikes targeted the strategic Ali Taher hill early on Saturday, overlooking parts of Nabatiyeh city in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military justified the strikes as a response to alleged actions against its soldiers, vowing to safeguard Israeli civilians and soldiers from Hezbollah threats.
Hezbollah, in response, urged the Lebanese government to counter Israeli aggression instead of pursuing talks with Israel, accusing the U.S. of complicity in Israeli actions. The group warned of retaliatory responses to Israeli aggression, emphasizing the need for a firm stance against encroachments on Lebanese territory.
Recent tensions escalated after two Israeli soldiers were killed in a southern Lebanon explosion, marking the first Israeli casualties post-truce. Despite seven rounds of talks between Lebanon and Israel, Hezbollah’s resistance to disarmament, coupled with concerns over Israeli withdrawal, has hindered progress towards lasting peace.
The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in early March, with over 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon attributed to Israeli strikes, including numerous civilian casualties. On the Israeli side, around 40 soldiers and three civilians, including a military contractor, have lost their lives in the conflict.