Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people and wounded 11 across southern Lebanon on Saturday, marking the deadliest toll since a June ceasefire agreement largely halted hostilities. An early-morning strike destroyed a home on the outskirts of Ansar, killing seven people and wounding three, according to Lebanon's state news agency NNA. A second strike on Deir al-Zahrani later killed two more and wounded nine.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, saying it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to attacks on its soldiers at the Ali al-Taher ridge. NNA reported that strikes also reached the valley between Ansar and Zarariyeh, the deepest penetration into southern Lebanon since the truce. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the escalation as "extremely dangerous."
Violence had fallen sharply after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June, followed by a US-sponsored framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel stipulating Hezbollah's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal. However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Friday criticised Lebanese authorities over the deal's implementation.