Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking some of the most lethal attacks post the fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah established in June. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency, one airstrike struck a residence on the outskirts of Ansar village, claiming the lives of seven people, including three children, and injuring two others. Another strike in Deir al-Zahrani village resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.
An agreement termed as a “framework agreement” was reached between Israel and the Lebanese government on June 26, outlining a plan for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. The agreement also aims at progressing towards a potential peace deal between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war nearly eight decades after Israel’s inception. Notably, Hezbollah has declined direct negotiations and was not part of the agreement.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, emphasizing that the attacks instill fear among residents and disrupt efforts to maintain stability in the region. Salam stressed that the casualties, including women and children, were not military targets, and it is the responsibility of the Lebanese state to address any military infrastructure within the country. He urged Israel to cease the escalation, asserting that the security and right to life of the Lebanese people on their land are non-negotiable.
The Israeli military launched intense airstrikes early on Saturday, targeting the strategic Ali Taher hill overlooking parts of Nabatiyeh city in southern Lebanon. Despite the truce, Israel has sustained frequent assaults on the area, situated north of the Litani River, which has functioned as a de facto boundary in Lebanon with significant areas under Israeli military control. The Israeli military justified its strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in response to an alleged action against Israeli troops in the region, vowing to protect Israeli civilians and soldiers from harm and remove threats posed by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah called upon the Lebanese state to halt the aggression instead of pursuing talks with Israel sponsored by the U.S., which the group perceives as aiding the enemy despite ongoing hostilities. Hezbollah criticized the U.S. as complicit in Israeli actions and warned Israel against continuing its aggressive behavior and attempts to impose control, promising a fitting response from Hezbollah. Earlier in the month, two Israeli soldiers lost their lives in an explosion in southern Lebanon, marking the first Israeli casualties post the truce, with no comment from Hezbollah on the incident.
Lebanon and Israel have engaged in seven rounds of discussions, with the most recent occurring in Rome. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been adamant about retaining its arms and has accused the Lebanese government of conceding too much without ensuring an Israeli withdrawal. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on March 2, triggered by Hezbollah’s rocket attacks following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The ongoing violence has resulted in over 4,000 fatalities from Israeli strikes in Lebanon, including numerous civilians, with approximately 40 soldiers and three civilians, including a military contractor, losing their lives on the Israeli side.