Israeli airstrike kills 7 in southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike on a home in the village of Ansar in southern Lebanon killed seven people and wounded three others early Saturday, marking the deadliest incident since a US-sponsored framework agreement in June significantly reduced hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The strike occurred as intermittent violence continues to undermine the shaky ceasefire, with diplomatic efforts struggling to advance.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck the outskirts of Ansar, destroying the home and prompting rescue teams to remove rubble and transport casualties to a hospital. The agency also documented Israeli warplanes conducting a series of airstrikes on the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge, an area Israel has previously identified as containing underground militant infrastructure. Israeli shelling was also reported in the same area. Furthermore, the NNA stated that the valley between Ansar and Zarariyeh was hit, describing it as the first strike at that geographical depth since the ceasefire began. In the border town of Bint Jbeil, Israeli forces reportedly detonated several homes.

The fatalities represent the highest...