At least 11 people, including children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, in the deadliest attack since a U.S.-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect.
Lebanese authorities said the strikes hit areas between Ali al-Taher hill and Dabsha in Nabatieh province on Saturday. Videos shared by local media showed explosions, smoke and flames rising from the area.
Local reports said several strikes took place near Kfar Rumman. The attacks were reportedly carried out by Israeli aircraft.
The Israeli military said the strikes were launched after three Israeli soldiers were seriously wounded in an attack attributed to Hezbollah. Israel said it targeted a Hezbollah headquarters but acknowledged that family members of a Hezbollah member were also present at the site.
An Israeli government spokesperson said the operation was not intended to end the ceasefire or stop negotiations with Lebanon. Instead, Israel said it wants to create conditions for renewed talks.
Israeli spokesperson Doron Spielman said Israel remains committed to the U.S.-mediated agreement and hopes the Lebanese armed forces will take concrete steps to remove Hezbollah’s weapons and restore the government’s authority across the country.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Lebanon is expected to work toward disarming Hezbollah, while Israeli forces are to withdraw gradually from Lebanese territory.
The latest strikes, however, have raised fresh concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for a lasting agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
