Deadly airstrikes in Lebanon endanger ceasefire

They were the deadliest attacks since the supposed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force at the end of June. Seven people, including three children, were killed and two others injured in an airstrike on a house on the outskirts of the village of Ansar, the state news agency said. Four people were killed and 17 injured in another attack on the village of Deir al-Zahrani.

The Israeli army said it had attacked Hezbollah's "terrorist infrastructure." Accordingly, the attack was a “response to Hezbollah operations against Israeli soldiers in the security zone.” The killed commander had been involved in several attacks on Israeli soldiers in the past, including with explosive drones, it said. The information cannot be independently verified.

Hezbollah threatens retaliation

The Lebanese government condemned the Israeli attacks. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on X that this was an "extremely serious matter" that undermined efforts to stabilize.

Hezbollah, however, threatened Israel with retaliation. She announced an "appropriate response" and called on the Lebanese government to abandon "the humiliating path of direct negotiations" with Israel. Another round of talks in the negotiations on a peace agreement is planned for the beginning of September in Rome.