Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed nine people, including three members of the Lebanese military, according to the Lebanese army and state media. The attacks occurred just days after the two sides reached a new ceasefire agreement.
Details of the Airstrikes
An airstrike on the road linking the city of Nabatiyeh with the town of Marjayoun in the morning killed a brigadier general, a captain, and another soldier, the army reported without immediately releasing their names. Another airstrike on the southern village of Saksakiyah killed six people and wounded four, according to the state-run National News Agency.
The Lebanese army issued a statement saying, "The continued, deliberate and repeated Israeli aggression against Lebanon, its people and its army only strengthens our resolve, faith and determination." The statement further accused Israel of aiming to thwart all efforts "to reach a solution that would restore stability, establish a comprehensive ceasefire and lead to the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories." The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the airstrike that killed the troops.
Ceasefire Deal and Reactions
The latest declared ceasefire was reached through US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon's government. The Lebanese government accuses Hezbollah of dragging the country into war and had made efforts to disarm the militant group before the latest hostilities. However, Hezbollah has refused to accept the truce.
The airstrikes came a day after Lebanon's president and prime minister criticized Iran for opposing the ceasefire deal, stating that Lebanon should not be used by Tehran as a "bargaining chip" in its talks with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X (formerly Twitter) by saying, "After President Joseph Aoun's comments, one would think it's Iran that has occupied a fifth of Lebanon, displaced a quarter of Lebanese and is bombing his country on daily basis." He added, "Had Lebanon been a bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have a deal long ago. Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President," referring to Israel.
Background of the Conflict
The war began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel, two days after Israel and the US began attacks on Iran. Israel subsequently launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and carried out widespread attacks that have displaced over 1 million people. Israeli troops have seized approximately a fifth of Lebanon, pushing further into the country's south than at any time since the end of Israel's 1982-2000 occupation.
More than 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war began. The fighting has also killed at least 29 Israeli soldiers and three civilians.
