Eleven people have been killed in Israeli strikes across two towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanese authorities confirmed. This marks one of the deadliest days of attacks since a framework agreement aimed at reducing hostilities was announced in June.
Seven people died in a strike on a house on the outskirts of Ansar in the Nabatieh district at around 04:30 local time, while displaced families were sheltering there. Among the dead were three children and two women. Social media footage showed thick plumes of smoke rising through the village streets as sirens rang out. Later on Saturday, a second round of strikes hit the town of Deir al-Zahrani, killing four more people and wounding five others.
Israel’s military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to an earlier action against its soldiers, citing activity at the Ali al-Taher Ridge. The ridge is a strategically contested high ground overlooking much of southeastern Lebanon. Near the border, several homes in Bint Jbeil were reportedly destroyed and Israeli forces opened heavy machine gun fire toward residential buildings, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes without reservation.
“The seven civilians killed were not military infrastructure,” he said.
“Israel must halt this escalation. The security of our people and their right to life on their land are not subject to negotiation or bargaining.”
The Ceasefire Framework
President Joseph Aoun described the killing of an entire family in Ansar as a “repeated violation” of the framework agreement. Further calling it a clear signal aimed at undermining US-led negotiations.
The June ceasefire framework requires Hezbollah to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw gradually from southern Lebanon. It also requires the Lebanese army to deploy across the area. Israel continues to occupy roughly five percent of Lebanese territory. However, it has maintained that it will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed. Hezbollah has rejected the framework entirely and has refused direct negotiations.
Lebanese and Israeli negotiators are scheduled to meet for an eighth round of talks in September. Although a final date has not been confirmed. On Friday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem criticised Lebanese authorities for failing to protect the army from Israeli pressure.
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