Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander in strike that left children dead

Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including three children, marking the deadliest raid since June when hostilities eased. The targeted location was the central headquarters of the Radwan Force, a Hezbollah unit, in a retaliation for an attack on Israeli troops in Lebanon's south.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that the strikes occurred early Saturday, including an air strike on a home in the village of Ansar, where seven people were killed, including three children and two women. Another strike on the Ali al-Taher ridge and a town in the south, Deir Zahrani, also led to casualties, raising the death toll to 11.

Israeli military confirmed the strike targeted Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander in the Radwan Force, and that his family was present but not the target. The Israeli army claimed Hezbollah attacked its forces inside the agreed security zone, a violation of the recent framework deal between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah vowed a retaliatory response, urging Lebanon to abandon direct negotiations.