Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people, including three children, on Saturday. The attacks, which hit homes in Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani, mark the deadliest escalation since a US-mediated peace framework was agreed upon in June. In one instance, an air strike on the outskirts of Ansar flattened a home, killing seven people.
Israel's military stated the strikes were retaliatory measures targeting Hezbollah infrastructure following an attack by the group on Israeli troops in the south. Conversely, Lebanon's prime minister denounced the attacks for targeting civilians in their homes, asserting that those killed were not military targets and calling the escalation extremely dangerous. Hezbollah has warned that the strikes would be met with an appropriate response.
The humanitarian situation in the area is deteriorating, with medical professionals reporting a prevalence of blast and compression wounds. Doctors have expressed concern over infections and the long-term psychological impact on civilians. Some healthcare workers lost their homes in the strikes, and there are increasing worries that hospitals could also be targeted.
This surge in violence follows a June 26 framework agreement intended to facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah. The escalation occurs as negotiations between Iran and the US appear to be at a standstill ahead of the Monday expiration of their ceasefire agreement.