At least nine people were killed in Israeli strikes southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to Lebanon’s state news agency. The attacks also injured 11 people and were among the deadliest since a US-mediated peace framework was agreed.
Seven people were killed when Israeli warplanes struck a house in the southern village of Ansar. Another two people died after a separate strike hit Deir El Zahrani, according to the National News Agency.
The victims in Ansar included three children and two women, highlighting the civilian toll of the latest violence. Lebanese officials condemned the strikes and called for greater protection of civilians amid continuing tensions.
The Israeli strikes southern Lebanon came weeks after Lebanon agreed to a US-mediated framework with Israel. Under the arrangement, Israeli forces are expected to remain in parts of southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the Lebanese army assumes control.
Israel’s military said it had targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in what it described as a security zone in southern Lebanon. The military said the operation was carried out in response to actions targeting Israeli soldiers.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rejected the Israeli description of the Ansar site as military infrastructure. He said the women and children killed in the attack were not military targets and urged an end to the escalation.
Israel has maintained forces in parts of southern Lebanon following its latest conflict with Hezbollah. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from areas under its control until Hezbollah is disarmed, while a US official said a permanent Israeli presence would not be consistent with commitments under the agreement.
