Eleven people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, marking the deadliest such attack since a ceasefire agreement in June. The strikes occurred in the early hours of the day, hitting multiple locations in the Dahyie area, including the villages of Ansar and Deir Zahrani. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), the attacks included an airstrike on a home in Ansar, killing seven people and wounding three others. Another strike in Deir Zahrani resulted in four additional deaths and 17 injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities to 11. Among the victims were three children and several women, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The Israeli military stated that the strikes were in response to an attack by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, on its troops in the Ali al-Taher ridge area in south Lebanon. It claimed the operation targeted “Hezbollah terror infrastructure” in the regions of Nabatieh and Ansar. The Israeli defense ministry accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking Israeli forces within the designated security zone, a 10-kilometer-deep area inside Lebanon where Israeli troops operate. This alleged breach prompted the Israeli military to carry out the retaliatory strikes. Lebanon’s president, Michel Aoun, condemned the attacks as a violation of the ceasefire and a setback to the ongoing US-sponsored negotiations aimed at resolving tensions between Israel and Lebanon. He criticized the incident as a clear signal of resistance to the diplomatic efforts being made in Rome, where the eighth round of direct talks was scheduled to take place early next month. Aoun emphasized that the deaths of civilians, including women and children, were not justifiable under any circumstances. Hezbollah, meanwhile, vowed to respond appropriately to the Israeli attacks and called on Lebanese authorities to abandon the “humiliating path” of direct negotiations with Israel. The group’s leader, Naim Qassem, accused the Lebanese government of failing to protect its military and citizens, stating that the framework deal signed in June amounted to an “Israeli order written in Israeli ink.” He warned that continued compliance with the agreement would expose the Lebanese army to further Israeli aggression. The violence comes amid a broader conflict that began in March when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel in support of Iran. In response, Israel conducted extensive airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanese officials estimate have caused over 4,300 deaths. Although the situation has calmed somewhat following the June ceasefire and the subsequent framework deal, sporadic Israeli strikes continue to cause casualties and destruction in southern Lebanon. The framework agreement outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, contingent upon the disarmament of Hezbollah and the eventual deployment of the Lebanese army to the region. However, Hezbollah has consistently opposed these terms, viewing them as a capitulation to Israeli demands. The group has refused to disarm, arguing that it is necessary for self-defense against potential Israeli aggression. Human Rights Watch recently called on the United Nations to maintain an international peacekeeping force in Lebanon after the current mandate expires this year. The organization highlighted the importance of UN presence in deterring attacks on civilians and preventing human rights violations. Despite these calls, the future of such a mission remains uncertain, particularly given the recent escalation in violence. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed concern over the escalating situation, emphasizing that the victims of the Ansar strike were not military targets. He urged Israel to cease its “extremely dangerous” actions and called for immediate de-escalation. Meanwhile, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, blamed Israel for the renewed violence and urged the international community to hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions. As the situation continues to unfold, the prospects for a lasting resolution remain unclear. With both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire and the negotiation process facing increasing challenges, the risk of further violence looms large. The recent strikes serve as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of the current truce and the deep-seated tensions that continue to fuel the conflict.
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