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Two Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon amid Rome talks
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Two Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon amid Rome talks

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Two Israeli reservists were killed in southern Lebanon, marking the first military fatalities there in over a month.
  • Israel conducted new strikes despite ongoing U.S.-backed talks in Rome aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
  • The negotiations, the seventh round since March, aim for Hezbollah's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Israel reported its first military deaths in southern Lebanon in over a month on Thursday, with two reservists killed in combat. The fatalities occurred as Israel carried out new strikes, despite ongoing U.S.-backed diplomatic talks in Rome intended to de-escalate hostilities.

The Israeli military identified the deceased as Major Harel Birenstock, 34, and Sergeant Major Tamir Vaknin, 33. Their deaths were the first Israeli casualties in the region since June 28. The strikes, which prompted the first evacuation warning in weeks, coincided with U.S. diplomacy aimed at brokering an end to the conflict.

In response to a blatant violation of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF has begun conducting precise strikes in southern Lebanon.

— Israeli militaryThe Israeli military stated its reason for conducting strikes in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon is seeking a phased Israeli withdrawal from its southern territories. The Rome talks, the seventh round since Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire in March, are focused on a framework deal. This deal includes Hezbollah's disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the south.

In light of Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire agreement, the Israel Defense Forces are compelled to act against it with force.

— Israeli military's Arabic-language spokeswoman, Ella WaweyaThe spokeswoman posted on X, explaining the necessity of IDF action against Hezbollah.

In response to what the IDF called a "blatant violation of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organization," precise strikes were conducted. The military also issued an evacuation order for the town of Mansouri. Lebanese state media reported one death and 11 wounded in a separate strike.

Negotiations in Rome faced a brief interruption when Israel requested an early end to talks, with the head of the Israeli delegation blaming "misleading leaks" from the Lebanese side. However, the talks were expected to resume. The UN's humanitarian agency noted that many displaced people had begun returning home following a recent lull in violence, though a significant number remained displaced.

For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north.

— Israeli military's Arabic-language spokeswoman, Ella WaweyaThe spokeswoman instructed residents of Mansouri to evacuate their homes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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