Eleven people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, marking one of the deadliest days of attacks since a de-escalation agreement was announced in June. Lebanon's prime minister stated that seven people died in a strike on a house in the Nabatieh district, with state media reporting that three children and two women were among the victims.
Later on Saturday, additional strikes hit the town of Deir al-Zahrani, resulting in four deaths and five injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Footage from the village showed large plumes of smoke rising into the streets.
Israel's military stated that it had targeted "Hezbollah terror infrastructure" in retaliation for what it described as an earlier action against its soldiers. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that the incident prompting the strike on Ansar occurred at Ali al-Taher Ridge.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks, asserting that the seven civilians killed were not "military infrastructure." He called for Israel to cease its escalation, stating that the security and right to life of the Lebanese people are not negotiable.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency also reported a series of strikes around the ridge. In Bint Jbeil, near the border, several homes were reportedly destroyed, and Israeli forces allegedly opened heavy machine gun fire toward houses.
Lebanon became involved in the conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel. This action was reportedly in retaliation for a strike that killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel subsequently initiated a bombing campaign across Lebanon and invaded a portion of the country's south, where its forces continue to occupy approximately 5% of Lebanese territory.