Israel airstrikes kill 11 in Lebanon, including children, ahead of talks

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed 11 people, including three children and two women, in what appears to be the deadliest raid since hostilities were eased in June. The Israeli military confirmed targeting a "central headquarters of the Radwan Force," an elite Hezbollah unit, and eliminating its battalion commander, Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan.

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The strike eliminated terrorist Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander in the Radwan Force.

The strikes occurred in the villages of Ansar and Deir Zahrani. In Ansar, seven people, including three children and two women, were killed in an air strike on a home, with Lebanon's Health Ministry reporting an "entire family" perished. In Deir Zahrani, four more people were killed and 17 wounded, including a child and 11 women.

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Hassan's family was also present with him inside the military headquarters. They were not the target of the strike.

Israel's military stated the strike was in retaliation for an attack by Hezbollah on its troops. The military acknowledged a "claim" that Hassan's family was present, adding they "were not the target of the strike." Rescuers were seen combing through rubble in Ansar, while residents in Deir Zahrani fled north with their belongings.

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Violations are a clear message on the negotiations process and American efforts aiming to implement this agreement.

The escalation comes ahead of planned US-sponsored negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticized the strikes, stating they send a "clear message on the negotiations process" and American efforts. Hezbollah vowed an "appropriate response" and urged Lebanese authorities to abandon direct negotiations.

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Hezbollah said the Israeli attacks "will be met with an appropriate response", urging Lebanese authorities to abandon "the humiliating path of direct negotiations".