Israeli strikes kill four in southern Lebanon amid ceasefire tensions
Lebanon’s health ministry said 20 people were wounded in strikes around Nabatieh after Israel alleged a Hezbollah drone launch targeting its troops.
Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon killed four people and wounded 20 others on Sunday, Lebanon’s health ministry said, in the latest escalation despite a months-long ceasefire. Two of those killed were women, while three children were among the wounded. The casualty figures were provisional.
The reported strikes hit areas around Nabatieh, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arab Salim, Nabatieh city and Kfar Rumman. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said two people were killed in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and two women in Arab Salim.
Israel’s military said the strikes followed an alleged Hezbollah launch of two drones towards Israeli troops operating in what Israel describes as a security zone in southern Lebanon. It did not report any Israeli military casualties. Hezbollah had not commented on the alleged launch or confirmed responsibility.
Before the strikes, Israel said it had issued an evacuation warning for a building in Arab Salim that it identified as a Hezbollah facility. Accounts differed over the circumstances of the deaths there and which buildings were targeted.
The incident comes as Israeli military activity continues in southern Lebanon, where Israel says its forces operate in a self-declared zone extending about 10 kilometres into the country. Israel and Lebanon have begun direct negotiations following the latest hostilities, with further talks expected this month.
