Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the most fatal 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 seven lives, including three children, and injuring two others. The second strike, on Deir al-Zahrani village, led to four fatalities and 17 injuries.
The “framework agreement” between Israel and the Lebanese government, announced on June 26, outlined a plan for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon in return for Hezbollah’s disarmament. The agreement also aimed at progressing towards a potential peace pact between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war almost eight decades after Israel’s establishment. Despite the deal, Hezbollah has declined direct negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister condemned the recent airstrikes, highlighting that they disrupt stability efforts. These strikes, occurring on Saturday, are the deadliest since the truce began two months ago. In a previous incident on July 6, four individuals lost their lives in attacks on Nabatiyeh Fawqa town. Additionally, just before the truce took effect on June 19, Israeli strikes in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of 83 individuals and left 141 wounded.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized Israel for targeting civilian areas, emphasizing that the victims were not military targets. He stressed that handling military infrastructure is the responsibility of the Lebanese state, urging Israel to cease its escalation. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun viewed the strikes as a hindrance to negotiation efforts and American initiatives.
Despite the truce, intense Israeli airstrikes targeted the strategic Ali Taher hill early Saturday, overlooking parts of Nabatiyeh city. The Israeli military stated that the strikes aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure in response to an alleged action against Israeli soldiers in the area. Hezbollah called on Lebanon to halt the aggression instead of pursuing talks with Israel, accusing the U.S. of complicity in Israeli actions.
Notably, two Israeli soldiers recently died in a blast in southern Lebanon, marking the first Israeli casualties post-truce. Lebanon and Israel have engaged in seven rounds of discussions, with Hezbollah refusing to disarm and criticizing the Lebanese government for conceding without guarantees of an Israeli retreat.
The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah ignited on March 2, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon has surpassed 4,000 deaths, including numerous civilians, while about 40 soldiers and three civilians have been killed on the Israeli side.