Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the most severe attacks since a fragile truce was established between Israel and Hezbollah in June. Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency reported that one airstrike targeted a residence on the outskirts of Ansar village, claiming the lives of seven people, including three children, and injuring two others. The second airstrike in Deir al-Zahrani village led to four fatalities and 17 injuries.
A “framework agreement” was reached between Israel and the Lebanese government on June 26, outlining a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. The agreement also outlined steps towards a potential peace deal between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war despite Israel’s establishment nearly 80 years ago. Hezbollah, however, did not participate in the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed disapproval of the airstrikes in southern Lebanon, stating that they instill fear among residents and hinder efforts to stabilize the region. He emphasized that the individuals killed in the attacks were not military targets and urged Israel to cease its escalation. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun viewed the strikes as a hindrance to ongoing negotiation efforts and American initiatives aimed at implementing the agreement.
Israeli military strikes on the strategic Ali Taher hill early Saturday targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to alleged actions against Israeli soldiers in the area. Despite the truce, Israel’s military has maintained regular attacks in the region, north of the Litani River, which serves as a de facto boundary in Lebanon. Hezbollah demanded that the Lebanese government intervene to halt the aggression and criticized pursuing direct talks with Israel, labeling the U.S. as complicit in Israeli actions.
The recent tensions follow the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in a blast in southern Lebanon earlier this month, marking the first Israeli casualties since the truce. Both Lebanon and Israel have engaged in seven rounds of talks, with Hezbollah adamant about retaining its arms and critical of the Lebanese government for conceding without ensuring an Israeli withdrawal. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah ignited on March 2, resulting in over 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon, including numerous civilians, while Israel reported casualties on its side.