Israeli Strikes Kill Eleven in Southern Lebanon, Children Among Dead

Eleven people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting southern Lebanon on Saturday, making it one of the most lethal days since a June ceasefire agreement was announced. Among the dead were three children and two women.

Two Strikes, Eleven Dead

The first strike hit a residential house on the outskirts of Ansar in the Nabatieh district at around 04:30 local time (01:30 GMT), killing seven people including three children and two women, according to Lebanese state media. Those killed were displaced families sheltering in the area.

Later that Saturday, a second series of strikes hit the town of Deir al-Zahrani, killing four more and wounding at least five others, the Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed.

Israel Cites Hezbollah Threat, Lebanon Condemns Attacks

The Israel Defense Forces stated that both strikes targeted Hezbollah terror infrastructure, citing a prior hostile action by the group against Israeli soldiers near the Ali al-Taher Ridge — a strategically important area in southeastern Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks, saying the seven civilians killed in Ansar were not "military infrastructure" and demanding that Israel "halt this escalation." Hezbollah, which is not party to the ceasefire framework, warned that Israeli attacks "cannot continue" and promised an appropriate response.

Ongoing Conflict

Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on 2 March, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel after an Israeli strike killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with a bombing campaign and ground invasion; its forces still occupy approximately 5% of Lebanese territory. Despite the June agreement, strikes continue. Negotiators are expected to meet for an eighth round of talks in September.