Nine Killed in Southern Lebanon, Israel-Hezbollah Tensions Escalate Again

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came under renewed strain on Saturday after Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed nine people, including three members of the Lebanese military.

The strikes occurred only days after both sides agreed to a new US-brokered ceasefire framework, raising fresh concerns about whether efforts to reduce hostilities can succeed.

Lebanese officials condemned the attacks, while Israel said its forces were acting against Hezbollah threats and not targeting the Lebanese army.

Lebanese Soldiers Among Those Killed

According to the Lebanese army, an airstrike on a vehicle traveling between Nabatiyeh and Marjayoun killed a brigadier general, a captain and another soldier.

A separate strike on the village of Saksakiyah reportedly killed six people and wounded four others.

The military described the attacks as deliberate aggression and said they would not weaken Lebanon’s commitment to restoring stability in the south.

Officials argued that the strikes undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a broader ceasefire and securing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas.

Israel Says It Targeted Hezbollah Activity

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out a strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon but said the incident is under review.

According to Israeli officials, intelligence indicated that Hezbollah was preparing activity near Israeli forces operating in the area.

The military stated that the vehicle was behaving suspiciously and emphasized that its operations are directed against Hezbollah rather than the Lebanese army.

The incident highlights the difficulty of maintaining calm in areas where Hezbollah fighters, Lebanese security forces and Israeli troops operate in close proximity.

Lebanese Leaders Condemn the Attack

President Joseph Aoun described the strike as a clear violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law.

He said the attack threatened efforts to restore security in southern Lebanon and came while negotiations in Washington were seeking a broader settlement.

Lebanon’s leadership has increasingly pushed for diplomatic solutions while attempting to distance the country from wider regional confrontations.

The government has repeatedly argued that continued military escalation risks dragging Lebanon deeper into a conflict it cannot afford.

Iran-Lebanon Tensions Surface

The latest violence has also exposed growing disagreements between Beirut and Tehran.

On Friday, President Aoun and Lebanon’s prime minister criticized Iran for opposing the recent ceasefire initiative, saying Lebanon should not become a bargaining tool in broader regional negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sharply, arguing that Israel remains Lebanon’s primary threat.

He questioned Lebanese criticism of Tehran while pointing to Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon and ongoing air operations.

The exchange reflects growing political tension over how the conflict should be resolved and what role regional powers should play in the process.

Ceasefire Faces Early Challenges

The latest ceasefire emerged from US-mediated talks between Israel and the Lebanese government.

However, Hezbollah has rejected the agreement and continues to oppose any arrangement that does not include a full Israeli withdrawal.

Since the conflict began in March, fighting has displaced more than one million people across Lebanon and caused significant destruction in southern regions.

Israeli forces continue to hold territory inside southern Lebanon, while cross-border attacks and military operations remain a regular occurrence.