Nine killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Ansara killed nine people, including three children and two women, the Ministry of Health reported. A separate Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Zahran, also in southern Lebanon, left at least two dead and nine wounded.

The casualty count marks one of the highest since a US-mediated ceasefire agreement was signed in late June, an accord that Hezbollah has rejected. The Ansara strike, occurring at dawn, hit a house on the outskirts of town, completely destroying it. Residents told the dpa news agency that the house served as a Hezbollah base.

Israeli forces stated they attacked Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon in response to an attack by the group on Israeli forces. Both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the June ceasefire. Israel maintains a "security zone" in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. Lebanese media reports indicate this Israeli-controlled territory covers about 620 square kilometers, approximately 6% of the country's total area.

The foundational ceasefire agreement aimed for peace and security, stipulating that Israeli troops would withdraw from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army would disarm Hezbollah. However, ongoing hostilities suggest these terms remain largely unfulfilled.