A series of intense Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people, marking the deadliest escalation of violence since a truce between Israel and Hezbollah was established on June 20. The casualties included seven people, among them three children, in a strike targeting a residence on the outskirts of the village of Ansar. A separate attack in the village of Deir al-Zahrani claimed four more lives and left 17 others wounded.
The Israeli military stated that the operation was conducted in response to actions against its soldiers in the region. According to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by attacking Israeli soldiers, which reportedly left three of them seriously wounded. The Israeli military claimed they targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including a headquarters, and noted they only learned after the strike that civilians were present in the compound. Furthermore, the military identified one of the deceased in Ansar as Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander within Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, stating that his family was also harmed during the strike but were not the intended targets. Hezbollah supporters later shared images of Al-Haj Hassan alongside his wife and three sons and one daughter, confirming their deaths.
Lebanese officials have strongly condemned the military actions. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized the strikes, arguing they serve only to intimidate residents and jeopardize regional stability. President Joseph Aoun described the attacks as a clear message directed at the ongoing negotiation process and international efforts, particularly those led by the United States, to solidify the current agreement. Hezbollah issued a statement condemning the American role in the events, calling the U.S. a partner in what they described as crimes and massacres. A Hezbollah official did not immediately provide a response regarding whether the group had initiated attacks on Israeli forces.
The violence comes amid a fragile diplomatic environment. On June 26, Israel and the Lebanese government announced a framework agreement aimed at the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah. The two nations, which have remained technically at war for nearly 80 years, have held seven rounds of talks, most recently in Rome earlier this month. Despite these efforts, Hezbollah has refused to disarm, accusing the Lebanese government of making excessive concessions. The Israeli military continues to conduct near-daily operations north of the Litani River, while also maintaining control over large areas to the south. Earlier this month, the first Israeli deaths since the truce were reported following an explosion in southern Lebanon.
