Lebanon says 11 killed in Israeli airstrikes, deadliest since truce

At least 11 people died in fresh Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, marking the deadliest attacks since a truce was established nearly two months ago. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed that seven people were killed and two wounded in a strike on the edge of Ansar village. Among the dead were three children and two women. The Lebanese state news agency NNA reported that the dawn strike hit and destroyed a house, which residents told Germany's DPA news agency served as a Hezbollah base.

Another strike hit the village of Deir al-Zahrani, resulting in four deaths and 17 injuries. NNA also reported strikes near the strategic Ali Taher hill, which overlooks parts of Nabatiyeh city and key roads. The Israeli military acknowledged hitting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, stating it was in retaliation for an attack by the militia on Israeli forces.

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Israel must clearly understand that its attacks, violations and attempts to impose a fait accompli cannot continue, and will be met with an appropriate response.

Hezbollah responded to the strikes, vowing an "appropriate" response and warning Israel that its actions could not continue. The Iran-backed group also cautioned Lebanese authorities against continuing "humiliating" peace negotiations with Israel, which it claimed would grant the enemy "free concessions." Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced the strikes, urging Israel to "halt this escalation" and asserting that the victims, including children and women, were not military targets.

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The seven martyrs of the Israeli airstrike on the town of Ansar are not military infrastructure and the children and women killed were not military targets.