Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon Leave 11 Dead, Igniting Global Out

Eleven people have been killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, authorities say, in one of the deadliest days of attacks since an agreement aimed at reducing hostilities was announced in June. The strikes, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, targeted a house in the village of Ansar, 70km (43 miles) south of the capital, Beirut.

Israel's Military Campaign in Lebanon

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks, saying the seven civilians killed were not "military infrastructure." "Israel must halt this escalation," he said. "For the security of our people and their right to life on their land are not subject to negotiation or bargaining."

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it had killed a commander of Hezbollah – the Iran-backed Shia militia – following an attack against Israeli soldiers. The commander's family, who he used as human shields, were present and harmed, it added.

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Deir al-Zahrani Under Fire

Later on Saturday, another round of strikes hit the town of Deir al-Zahrani, killing four and wounding five others, the Lebanese ministry of health said. Footage on social media shows large plumes of smoke permeating through the streets of the village as sirens ring out.

Lebanese authorities say the strike in Ansar at around 04:30 (01:30 GMT) occurred where displaced families were living. The IDF said the incident that prompted its strike on Ansar had taken place in the Ali al-Taher Ridge, a strategic high ground overlooking much of south-eastern Lebanon and one of the war's most fiercely contested positions.

International Response

A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the IDF strike, saying the Hezbollah attack had seriously injured three soldiers and the response had struck "the Hezbollah terror headquarters which ordered the attack." Hezbollah dismissed Netanyahu's "false claims" and said Lebanese civilians "were deliberately targeted in their homes, many of whom were reduced to human remains, followed by claims that the locations were military sites."

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strikes that had killed an entire family in Ansar and its "repeated violations" of the framework, which he said sent a "clear message" to the US-led negotiations. Hezbollah was not involved in the agreement and has rejected direct negotiations.

Ongoing Tensions

The IDF says it will continue to remove threats to Israeli citizens and soldiers operating in the security zone – the 10km-deep military buffer in southern Lebanon occupied by Israel. Despite a reduction in fighting following the June agreements, Israeli strikes and demolitions in southern Lebanon have continued.

Lebanese and Israeli negotiators are set to meet for an eighth round of negotiations in September, but a final date has not been set. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been a point of contention in the region, with the June ceasefire framework aiming to reduce hostilities and bring stability to the area.

Source: JOY