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BEIRUT, Sept 6 — Lebanon reported that four individuals were killed in strikes carried out by Israel, which said the attacks were a response to Hezbollah launching drones at its soldiers in south Lebanon, escalating tensions in an already fragile truce. Lebanon's health ministry confirmed two deaths in south Lebanon's Nabatieh al-Fawqa and two women killed in nearby Arab Salim; 20 others sustained injuries, including women and children, in those locations as well as in the cities of Nabatieh and Kfar Rumman. The death toll remains provisional.

Israel's military asserted its actions as retaliation for a "blatant violation" by Hezbollah, without disclosing any casualties among their troops. Earlier, Israel had issued an evacuation notice for residents near a building it identified as a Hezbollah facility in Arab Salim, days ahead of the attack on the site. The evacuation notice was not issued for other areas where strikes were reported.

According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), after the Israeli warning, enemy warplanes struck another house, killing two women and destroying it. Subsequently, the Israeli military launched a strike on a home that had been threatened by the evacuation warning. The NNA also reported that the Israeli military struck a building under threat in the evacuation notice.

In Nabatieh al-Fawqa, a strike destroyed part of the Ghandour hospital, which had been out of service for years. Additionally, a heavy airstrike on Nabatieh city targeted a historical building and damaged state finance and agriculture authorities' offices, as well as nearby shops and cafes. A strike on a motorcycle in the area was also reported.

Lebanon entered the Middle East conflict in March when Hezbollah launched an attack against Israel in support of its ally Iran. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes and initiated a ground invasion, resulting in over 4,300 deaths, according to Lebanon. Israeli forces are currently operating within a self-declared "security zone" approximately 10 kilometers (six miles) deep inside Lebanon along the border.

Tensions have eased somewhat following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding in June, while Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement later that month. However, Lebanon continues to report Israeli strikes, artillery shelling, and widespread demolition of civilian buildings in southern villages and towns. On Friday, Israeli strikes in the country's south and east claimed four more lives, including an 18-year-old woman, as Israel claimed it targeted Hezbollah's drones in response.

Earlier in the week, Israel announced it had taken "operational control" of the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh, though Hezbollah has not confirmed the capture of the site. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer of five detained individuals from Israel to Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon began direct negotiations after the recent hostilities, with further talks expected this month, although no specific date has been announced.