Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least nine people, including three children, and injured 11 others early Saturday morning. Two strikes reportedly hit homes in Deir al-Zahrani and on the outskirts of the village of Ansar, where a home was flattened. Paramedics and rescue services continue to search through the rubble for survivors.
This marks the deadliest escalation since June 26, when a US-mediated framework agreement established a lull in hostilities. Under the agreement, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Israel stated the operations were retaliatory strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. However, Lebanon's prime minister described the escalation as extremely dangerous, asserting that seven of the victims were not military targets. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has criticized the approach of officials in Beirut, accusing them of exposing the Lebanese army to Israeli pressure and risks.