Violent Escalation in Southern Lebanon: Israeli Airstrikes Leave 11 Dead

In a surge of violence that has rattled the fragile peace in southern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals on Saturday, marking one of the deadliest days since a US-mediated peace framework was established in June. The Lebanese health ministry reported that the strikes, which targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, resulted in significant civilian casualties, including three children and two women.

The Israeli military justified the attacks as a retaliation against Hezbollah's recent assault on its troops. They claimed to have struck a "central headquarters" of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force in the village of Ansar, where they also noted that Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a commander in the group, was killed alongside his family.

In response, Hezbollah vowed to retaliate, stating that such attacks would be met with appropriate consequences. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that four other fatalities occurred in Deir El Zahrani, with 19 individuals injured across the region. This escalation comes amid ongoing tensions, as both sides grapple with the terms of the peace agreement that leaves Israeli forces in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms.

Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, condemned the strikes, emphasizing the need for national unity and calling on international sponsors of the peace talks to take responsibility for preventing further conflict. The situation remains precarious, with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun describing the attacks as a direct threat to ongoing negotiations.

As the violence continues, Israeli officials assert that their military presence in the region is essential for national security, insisting that they will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed. This stance has raised concerns among international observers regarding the viability of the peace framework.

Source: www.france24.com