At least 11 people were killed and 19 injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the attacks as a direct strike on civilians, while Israel claimed to have targeted military infrastructure of the Iran-backed Hezbollah. This marks the deadliest attack since a ceasefire framework was announced between Israel and Hezbollah nearly two months ago. The incident signals a new chapter of conflict in the Middle East and further destabilizes the fragile peace process.
Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that seven people were killed and two injured in an early morning attack on the outskirts of Ansar village. Among the deceased were three children and two women, highlighting the civilian toll of the attack. Lebanon's state news agency NNA (National News Agency) stated that a house was completely destroyed in the strike. Germany's DPA news agency, citing local residents, reported that the destroyed house was being used as a Hezbollah base, although Lebanese authorities have rejected this claim.
On the same day, a second attack in Deir al-Zahrani village killed four people and injured seventeen. NNA further reported multiple attacks around the strategically important Ali Taher mountain. This mountain allows surveillance over the southern city of Nabatiyeh and its main roads. The Israeli military confirmed that it struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, claiming it was a retaliatory measure for militia attacks on Israeli forces.
Following Saturday's attacks, the Iran-backed Hezbollah issued an immediate and stern response. They threatened retaliation against Israel, stating that such aggressions would be met with an appropriate response. In a statement, Hezbollah further warned that Israel must understand that its attacks, violations, and attempts to impose unilateral decisions cannot continue. Simultaneously, they called on Lebanese authorities to halt the ongoing ‘humiliating’ peace talks with Israel, arguing that these discussions are granting the enemy free concessions.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the Israeli strikes and called on Israel to cease these escalatory actions. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The seven martyrs killed in the Israeli airstrike in Ansar city were not military infrastructure, nor were the killed children and women military targets.” His comments directly challenged Israel's claims and highlighted the issue of civilian protection on the international stage.
It can be recalled that the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensified again in early March 2023 when Hezbollah launched attacks on northern Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This quickly escalated into a full-scale conflict, involving Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon, widespread displacement of residents, and the deaths of over 4,300 people. Israel claims to have established a so-called security zone in southern Lebanon, covering approximately 6% of Lebanon's total area (620 square kilometers), to prevent Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel.
Since the announcement of a structured peace agreement in late June, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. This agreement includes a plan for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament. The agreement also encompasses the concept of steps towards ultimate peace. Both sides have held seven rounds of talks so far, with the latest discussion taking place in Rome earlier this month. However, Hezbollah has refused to participate directly in the talks, was not part of the agreement, and has not agreed to disarm, complicating the peace process.
