Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill at least 11 people as hostilities intensify

At least 11 individuals were killed in Israeli strikes within southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry. These strikes marked one of the deadliest episodes since a June agreement aimed at reducing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military claimed it targeted Hezbollah's infrastructure remotely, asserting it was a security zone response to actions against its soldiers in Lebanon. Iran-backed Hezbollah warned of a response proportionate to the attacks.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported seven fatalities when Israeli warplanes hit a house in the southern village of Ansar. Four additional deaths occurred in a strike on the village of Deir El Zahrani. Among the seven casualties in Ansar were three children and two women; a total of 19 people were wounded in the assaults. Since the conflict began on March 2, at least 4,300 people have lost their lives in Lebanon.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office accused Hezbollah of breaching the ceasefire and attacking soldiers, resulting in three Israeli injuries. The IDF subsequently targeted what it described as a Hezbollah terror headquarters in Ansar, claiming to have killed Hezbollah commander Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan and others. However, Hassan's family was present during the strike, and some were reportedly harmed; the military unit was not the intended target.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the raid, stating the victims were not military targets.

Nabih Berri, the speaker of Lebanon's parliament and a Hezbollah ally, called for national unity and for peace talks sponsors to take responsibility. Israel has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon since its earlier war with Hezbollah, aimed at protecting the north from potential attacks. During a recent visit, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would not withdraw until Hezbollah was disarmed.

A US State Department official expressed concern over a permanent Israeli military presence, stating it conflicts with the terms of the deal. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the attacks a clear message targeting negotiations and U.S. efforts. Israeli officials claimed the strikes would intensify negotiations, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the root causes.