Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, resulting in at least one fatality, according to Lebanon's state health ministry. The strikes followed by one day the signing of a US-brokered framework agreement intended to foster lasting peace between the two nations.
Lebanon's state news agency reported that an Israeli drone targeted the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, with subsequent strikes wounding at least two more individuals in the vicinity. The Israeli military stated that the drone strike targeted an individual posing a threat to its forces, without offering further specifics.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whose group was not involved in the negotiations, has rejected the agreement, accusing the Lebanese government of compromising national sovereignty. "The framework agreement in Washington is humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty. This agreement is null and void," he stated.
Nasrallah criticized provisions that link Israel's withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah, calling them a violation of "all red lines." He further asserted that Lebanese authorities had committed a "grave blunder" that could lead to the "annexation of these lands," vowing continued armed resistance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously described the accord as "historic" and "a blow to Iran and Hezbollah." The agreement outlines a four-point plan that includes Israel withdrawing its forces from the South Litani area, with the Lebanese army assuming exclusive control over the territory. However, Israeli forces retain the right to maintain an expanded security zone within southern Lebanon.
On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that forces were ordered to "prepare for an extended stay in the security zone," which extends up to 10 kilometers (six miles) into Lebanese territory.
The current hostilities escalated on March 2, when Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel in response to an Israeli strike that killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel retaliated with an air campaign and a ground invasion in southern Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israeli attacks since the conflict began have resulted in at least 4,192 deaths, over 11,600 injuries, and displaced more than 1.2 million people. Israel reports 36 soldiers and four civilians killed on both sides of the border.
A previous US-brokered ceasefire on April 16 failed to halt the fighting. In June, both Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire, with the US pledging to assist in establishing "pilot zones" where the Lebanese Armed Forces would have sole control, excluding non-state actors.