Lebanon says 4 killed in strikes Israel calls response to Hezbollah drones

Lebanon reported on Sunday that four individuals were killed in strikes carried out by Israel, which claimed the attacks were in response to Hezbollah launching drones at its soldiers in the south of the country. The health ministry in Lebanon confirmed two deaths in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and two women killed in the neighboring Arab Salim.

Additionally, 20 others were wounded in these locations, including several women and three children, as well as in the cities of Nabatieh and Kfar Rumman. The toll was described as provisional. Israel's army stated that the strikes were a response to Hezbollah's actions and refused to disclose any troop casualties in the incident.

Earlier in the day, Israel had issued an evacuation notice for a building in Arab Salim, identifying it as a Hezbollah facility, and later conducted a strike on a residence following that warning. Another strike in Nabatieh al-Fawqa destroyed part of a hospital, which had been closed for years, and damaged state finance and agriculture offices, among other structures.

The NNA also reported that Israeli forces targeted a motorcycle in the area. This incident added to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, which began in March when Hezbollah attacked Israel in support of Iran. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion, resulting in over 4,300 casualties. While Israeli forces remain in a self-declared security zone near the Lebanese border, the frequency of Israeli strikes, artillery shelling, and the demolition of civilian buildings in southern areas has remained consistent.

Despite a US-Iran memorandum of understanding in June aimed at reducing the conflict, violence continues. In a separate development earlier this week, four people, including an 18-year-old woman, were killed in Israeli strikes in southern and eastern parts of Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah drone launch. Israel also stated it had taken operational control of the Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh, a claim that Hezbollah has neither confirmed nor denied.

Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross helped transfer five individuals detained by Israel back to Lebanon. Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon have commenced, with further discussions expected this month.