Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported on Tuesday that an Israeli drone strike had hit an ambulance in the southern city of Nabatieh, wounding two individuals. According to the health ministry, the Israeli military struck again when rescuers from the Hezbollah-linked Risala Scouts Association arrived at the scene, damaging the ambulance. The ministry condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, the Israeli military denied the allegations, stating it was unaware of any strikes in the area during that time. The conflicting accounts emerged amid heightened tensions in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been conducting operations against Hezbollah-linked groups. Two days prior, the U.S. and Israel had launched airstrikes against Iran, prompting Hezbollah to retaliate by launching rockets at Israeli targets. In response, Israeli forces carried out aerial bombardments and a ground offensive, capturing a strip of land approximately 10 kilometers deep into southern Lebanon. Over a million Lebanese civilians have fled their homes due to the conflict, and Israel has been systematically dismantling terrorist infrastructure in the occupied areas. A US-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon aims to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the region, beginning in two designated pilot zones. Despite these efforts, Hezbollah has refused to disarm, and the Lebanese Army has faced criticism for failing to adequately neutralize the militant group in the pilot zones. Israeli officials have expressed concerns over the progress of the disarming process, noting that nearly three weeks have passed since the initiative began without sufficient results. On August 5, 2026, an explosion in the village of Majdal Zoun killed two Israeli reservists and injured four others. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) expanded its investigation into the incident, discovering that the force of the blast was significantly stronger than that of a typical explosive device. Initial assessments suggested the explosion might have been caused by an unexploded ordnance, but this was later ruled out. Further examination revealed that the IDF had entered a building, left it, and upon returning, encountered a powerful explosive device that detonated. While the IDF initially attributed the incident to an old explosive, it could not rule out the possibility that Hezbollah had tampered with the device to target Israeli forces. Northern Command confirmed that Hezbollah remains active in the area and is actively challenging Israeli operations. As a result, the investigation into the explosion remains ongoing, with no final conclusions reached by Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, the head of Northern Command. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by Hezbollah and the difficulty of distinguishing between accidental explosions and deliberate attacks aimed at Israeli troops. Meanwhile, the IDF has continued its military operations in southern Lebanon, including strikes in the municipality of Mansouri, near Tyre. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) accused Israeli forces of violating agreements and international law, alleging that Israeli strikes had targeted municipal buildings, schools, healthcare centers, and residential areas. These actions, the LAF claimed, have impeded its ability to operate effectively in the pilot zones and assist in the return of displaced residents to their homes. Despite these challenges, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited an IDF post in Lebanon and reassured troops that the military was not withdrawing from the security zone. Diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon continue, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressing optimism about the progress of negotiations while emphasizing that a complete Israeli withdrawal and the release of Lebanese prisoners remain key objectives. The situation in southern Lebanon remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of escalating hostilities and undermining peace efforts.
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