Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill One After US-Brokered Deal

Israeli air strikes in Lebanon have killed one person and wounded at least two, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, just a day after Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered deal aimed at achieving a lasting peace.

The strikes hit the southern town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, with an Israeli drone targeting an individual perceived as a threat to Israeli forces, though details were not provided. Later strikes in the area caused additional casualties.

Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, strongly rejected the agreement, calling it “humiliating” and “a surrender of sovereignty,” particularly criticizing clauses linking Israel’s withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament, which he claimed crossed “all red lines.” Qassem vowed continued armed resistance, warning the deal could lead to the annexation of Lebanese lands.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the deal as “historic” and a blow to Iran and Hezbollah, while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered troops to prepare for an extended stay in Lebanon’s security zone.

The conflict, which began on 2 March after Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader, has killed at least 4,192 in Lebanon and 40 in Israel, with over 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon. A previous ceasefire in April failed to halt the fighting.

The new deal allows Israel to maintain an expanded security area in southern Lebanon, despite withdrawing from the South Litani area, which will be controlled exclusively by the Lebanese Army.