BEIRUT (AP) – On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including three members of the Lebanese military, according to reports from the Lebanese army and state media. This violence occurred just days after a new ceasefire deal was established between the two sides.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks on the military as a "flagrant violation" of the nation's sovereignty and international law, warning that the ongoing escalation poses a significant threat to stability and security in the southern region. The Israeli airstrikes included one targeting a vehicle on a road connecting Nabatiyeh city to Marjayoun town, which killed a brigadier general, a captain, and another soldier, although their identities were not disclosed. In addition, another strike on Saksakiyah village resulted in six fatalities and four injuries, as reported by the state-run National News Agency.
The Lebanese army characterized the Israeli airstrikes as "continued, deliberate, and repeated aggression," suggesting that such actions are intended to undermine efforts toward a solution to restore stability, establish a comprehensive ceasefire, and prompt Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories. The Israeli military, on the other hand, acknowledged hitting a vehicle it claimed was moving suspiciously toward soldiers near Kfar Tibnit village, asserting that there were "concrete indications" of intended fire from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group originating from that area. The IDF emphasized that their operations are aimed at Hezbollah specifically, not the Lebanese army.
Additionally, Israel's military announced that two of its soldiers had died in southern Lebanon, although the timing regarding their deaths was not specified. The latest ceasefire was announced in Washington following U.S.-brokered talks between the Israeli government and Lebanon's leadership, which has accused Hezbollah of dragging the country into war while attempting to disarm the group before recent hostilities escalated. Hezbollah has rejected the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli forces have captured about one-fifth of Lebanese territory, advancing further into southern Lebanon than at any point since the conclusion of Israel's occupation from 1982 to 2000. More than 3,500 individuals have lost their lives in Lebanon since the onset of conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, just two days after military actions began against Iran by Israel and the U.S.
The situation has led to Israel launching a ground invasion of Lebanon, resulting in attacks that have displaced over one million people. Casualties within Israel report at least 31 soldiers and three civilians killed. On Friday, President Aoun and Lebanon's Prime Minister criticized Iran for opposing the latest ceasefire agreement, arguing that Tehran should refrain from using Lebanon as a "bargaining chip" in its negotiations with Washington, in an effort to achieve a ceasefire deal that encompasses the Lebanese situation.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi defended Iran's posture, asserting that it is Israel that has occupied parts of Lebanon, displaced many Lebanese residents, and continues to bomb the country daily. He remarked that had Lebanon truly been a bargaining chip for Iran, a deal would have been reached long ago, urging Aoun to focus on Israel as the nation’s real enemy.
