Israeli Airstrikes Kill 11 in Southern Lebanon

Beirut (Terror Monitor) — At least 11 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities, in some of the deadliest attacks since a ceasefire agreement was reached in June to reduce tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said seven people were killed when an Israeli strike hit a house on the outskirts of Ansar in Nabatieh district. State media reported that three children and two women were among those killed.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said another Israeli strike later hit the town of Deir al-Zahrani, killing four people and injuring five others.

The Israeli military said it targeted what it described as Hezbollah’s “military infrastructure” and said the strikes were carried out in response to an alleged attack against its troops.

The strike in Ansar occurred at around 4:30 a.m. local time at a location where displaced families had been sheltering, according to Lebanese authorities. Videos circulating on social media showed thick clouds of smoke rising over the village, accompanied by sirens.

Prime Minister Salam condemned the strikes, saying those killed were civilians and could not be described as “military infrastructure.”

“Israel must stop escalating the situation,” Salam said, stressing that the safety of Lebanon’s people and their right to live on their own land should not be subject to negotiations.

The Israeli military said the incident that preceded the Ansar strike took place at Ali al-Taher Hill, a strategically important military position overlooking parts of southeastern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported several additional Israeli strikes around the hill.

Several houses were also reported destroyed in the border area of Bint Jbeil. The agency said Israeli forces opened heavy machine-gun fire toward residential buildings.

Ceasefire Under Strain

The ceasefire framework agreed in June includes provisions for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons, the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the area.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the killing of members of the same family in Ansar and what he described as repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Aoun said the latest Israeli actions sent a clear message regarding U.S.-mediated negotiations between the two sides.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said Israeli attacks and violations, as well as attempts to impose new realities on the ground, were unacceptable and would receive an appropriate response.

Although fighting has decreased since the June agreement, Israeli strikes and military operations in southern Lebanon have continued.

Lebanese and Israeli negotiators are expected to hold an eighth round of talks in September, although a final date has yet to be set.