BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike on a home in southern Lebanon killed seven people and injured three others early Saturday, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, marking one of the deadliest incidents since a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect in June.
The strike hit a residence on the outskirts of Ansar, a village in southern Lebanon. Emergency responders continued searching the destroyed building for possible victims as rescue operations remained underway.
Violence Continues Despite Ceasefire
The latest attack highlights the continuing instability along the Israel-Lebanon border despite the truce.
Israeli forces have continued conducting strikes in southern Lebanon, including attacks near strategic locations. The area around Ali Taher hill, which overlooks parts of Nabatiyeh and important roads in the region, was also targeted Saturday, according to Lebanese state media.
The hill lies north of the Litani River, an area that has effectively served as a dividing line during the conflict, while significant territory farther south remains under Israeli military control.
Framework Agreement Remains Uncertain
Israel and Lebanon announced a framework agreement on June 26 intended to establish a path toward Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The agreement also outlines steps toward a potential long-term peace arrangement between Israel and Lebanon, which have technically remained at war for decades.
Hezbollah, however, was not a party to the agreement and has rejected direct negotiations with Israel.
The Iran-backed group has refused to surrender its weapons and has accused the Lebanese government of making excessive concessions without securing firm guarantees for an Israeli withdrawal.
Talks Continue Amid Tensions
Lebanon and Israel have held several rounds of negotiations, with the latest meeting taking place in Rome earlier this month.
Despite those diplomatic efforts, military tensions remain high.
Earlier in August, two Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion in southern Lebanon, marking the first Israeli military deaths since the ceasefire began. Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for the incident.
Conflict Has Caused Heavy Casualties
The latest escalation follows months of intense fighting.
The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict began March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets across the border shortly after the United States and Israel began attacks against Iran.
More than 4,000 people have reportedly been killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since the conflict began, including hundreds of civilians.
On the Israeli side, around 40 soldiers and three civilians, including a military contractor, have been reported killed.
The continued strikes, despite diplomatic negotiations and the existing truce, underscore the difficulty of achieving a lasting settlement.
The latest deaths in Ansar are likely to increase pressure on both sides to strengthen the ceasefire and address the unresolved dispute over Israeli forces, Hezbollah’s weapons and security arrangements in southern Lebanon.
