Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill four, wound 20, Health Ministry says

Beirut, Lebanon (AFP) - Lebanon reported four fatalities following strikes on Sunday, claiming Israel retaliated after Hezbollah launched drone attacks on its soldiers in southern Lebanon. The country's health ministry confirmed two people perished in the Nabatieh al-Fawqa region and two women died in the nearby Arab Salim area.

Additionally, 20 individuals, including several women and three children, sustained injuries in these locations, as well as in the cities of Nabatieh and Kfar Rumman. The death toll remains provisional. Israeli forces launched the attacks after Hezbollah fighters allegedly targeted Israeli soldiers operating within Israel's self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon.

Israel denounced Hezbollah's actions as a "blatant violation" but provided no troop casualty figures. Prior to the statement, Israel issued an evacuation notice for residents near a building in Arab Salim, purportedly a Hezbollah facility, but did not issue warnings for other areas with reported strikes. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) stated that following the Israeli warning, enemy warplanes struck another house, resulting in the deaths of two women.

Subsequently, Israeli forces conducted another strike on a home threatened by the evacuation notice. The NNA disclosed that a strike in Nabatieh al-Fawqa damaged part of the Ghandour hospital, which had been closed for years. Moreover, a heavy airstrike in Nabatieh targeted a historic building and damaged offices belonging to state finance and agriculture authorities, while shops and cafes nearby also sustained damage.

Reports indicated an additional strike on a motorcycle in the vicinity. Lebanon's involvement in the Middle East conflict began in March when Hezbollah retaliated against Israel's support for Iran. Israel subsequently responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion, resulting in over 4,300 deaths, according to Lebanon. Israeli forces remain stationed within a self-declared security zone approximately 10km deep inside Lebanon along the border.

The intensity of violence has decreased since a June US-Iran memorandum of understanding, and Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement later that month. However, Lebanon continues to report Israeli strikes, artillery shelling, and extensive demolitions of civilian buildings in southern villages and towns. On Friday, Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon killed four individuals, including an 18-year-old woman, as Israel claimed it targeted Hezbollah targets in response to a drone launch aimed at its soldiers.

Earlier this week, Israel asserted operational control over the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh. Hezbollah has yet to comment on the statement or confirm the capture of the site. This week also saw the International Committee of the Red Cross facilitating the transfer of five detained individuals from Israel to Lebanon.

Direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon commenced following the recent hostilities, with additional talks anticipated this month, though no specific date has been announced.