Lebanon reported that Israeli airstrikes on southern villages killed nine people, including three children, on Saturday, marking the deadliest raids since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah were eased in June. Israel stated it conducted retaliatory strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, while Lebanon's Prime Minister described the civilian casualties as unjustifiable and urged an end to the escalating conflict.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) stated that warplanes struck a residential building on the outskirts of Ansar village and conducted airstrikes on the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge. A subsequent strike was reported in the southern town of Deir Zahrani. Lebanon's health ministry confirmed seven fatalities in Ansar, comprising three children and two women, with an additional two deaths and nine injuries reported in Deir Zahrani, noting the latter toll was provisional.
An Israeli army statement asserted that it struck "Hezbollah terror infrastructure" in Nabatieh and Ansar in response to actions by the militant group against Israeli soldiers in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area. However, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam countered that the seven individuals killed in Ansar were not military targets, emphasizing that women and children were among the victims.
"Israel must halt this escalation," Salam declared, characterizing the actions as "extremely dangerous and undermines efforts to consolidate stability in the south." Hezbollah became involved in the broader regional conflict in March, initiating rocket fire into Israel in support of its ally, Iran. Israel responded with significant airstrikes and a ground invasion, which Lebanese authorities report has caused over 4,300 fatalities.
Despite a decrease in violence following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding and a US-sponsored framework deal between Lebanon and Israel in June, Lebanon continues to report intermittent Israeli strikes and damage to civilian structures in southern towns and villages. Ansar, located approximately 20 kilometers from the Israeli border, is situated beyond an Israeli-declared "yellow line" within Lebanese territory.
Negotiations regarding a framework deal, which includes the disarmament of Hezbollah, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to southern regions, are ongoing. The eighth round of US-sponsored talks is scheduled for early next month in Rome. Earlier in the week, Israel's Defense Minister visited southern Lebanon, reaffirming the military's intent to maintain a "security zone" and dismantle infrastructure and residences in the area. A US State Department official indicated that a permanent military presence in south Lebanon is inconsistent with the commitments made in the framework deal.
