Lebanon reports 11 dead in strikes that Israel says targeted Hezbollah

Lebanon reported 11 deaths, including three children, in Israeli airstrikes on the south on Saturday, marking the deadliest raids since a June deal aimed at easing tensions with Hezbollah. Israel claimed the strikes, conducted early Saturday, targeted Hezbollah's infrastructure in retaliation for an attack on its troops in the Ali al-Taher ridge area, which is within Lebanon's security zone.

This came as Israel and Lebanon were scheduled to hold their eighth round of US-sponsored negotiations in Rome. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the strikes were a clear message regarding the negotiations process and efforts to implement the agreement. Hezbollah vowed to respond appropriately, urging Lebanese authorities to avoid the path of direct negotiations.

The Israeli military stated the strikes were in response to Hezbollah's attack on its forces in the Ali al-Taher ridge area, claiming it was a serious violation of the agreement. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the Israeli escalation, calling the deaths of women and children "extremely dangerous." Hezbollah accused Israel of seeking to escalate the war to bolster its domestic political position.

Despite a US-Iran memorandum of understanding on broader Middle East war in June and a framework deal between Israel and Lebanon later that month, intermittent Israeli strikes and demolitions of civilian buildings continue in southern Lebanon.