Lebanon reports 11 dead in strikes that Israel says targeted Hezbollah

Lebanon reported 11 fatalities, including three children, in Israeli strikes on Saturday (Aug 15), marking the deadliest raids since a June ceasefire eased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The military claimed the attacks were in retaliation for an attack by the Iran-backed militant group against its troops in southern Lebanon.

These strikes occurred as Israel and Lebanon were scheduled to hold their eighth round of US-backed negotiations in Rome next month. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun saw the violence as a clear signal about the negotiations process and America's efforts to implement the deal. Hezbollah vowed a fitting response, urging Lebanese officials to avoid the "humiliating path" of direct negotiations.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) detailed the Israeli assaults, including an airstrike on a home in Ansar and airstrikes on the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge. The health ministry confirmed 11 deaths and 17 injuries in Ansar, while 17 people were killed and 17 wounded in Deir Zahrani. Residents described the destruction and shock of the attacks, with one person lamenting, "What do I have here for this to happen?"

Israel maintains it struck Hezbollah's terror infrastructure, alleging the group attacked its forces inside the security zone. Hezbollah blamed the escalation on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of seeking to strengthen his domestic political position by escalating the war.