Israel launched fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday that killed at least 11 people, marking the deadliest strikes since the Israel-Hezbollah truce began nearly two months ago. The Lebanese Health Ministry said one strike on the edge of Ansar village killed seven people and wounded two, including three children and two women. A second strike on Deir al-Zahrani killed four and wounded 17, according to the ministry.
The Israeli military confirmed hitting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, saying the strikes were retaliation for an attack by the militia on Israeli forces. The attack on Ansar struck a house at dawn and destroyed it, according to Lebanon's state news agency NNA. Residents told Germany's DPA news agency that the property served as a base for Hezbollah.
Hezbollah responded with defiance, saying any Israeli attacks "will be met with an appropriate response" and warning that Israel "cannot continue" its operations in the region. The Iran-backed group also warned Lebanese authorities against pursuing "humiliating" peace negotiations with Israel, which it said would grant "the enemy free concessions."
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced the strikes and called on Israel to "halt this escalation," saying the victims killed in Ansar "are not military infrastructure." Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of ceasefire violations since a framework peace agreement was announced in late June. The deal envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah laying down arms, though Hezbollah has refused direct talks and disarmament.
