Israel Kills 11 in Lebanon After Hezbollah Drone Attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh district on Saturday, killing 11 people, including three children and two women. The operations targeted Hezbollah military infrastructure in Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani, specifically eliminating Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander in the Radwan Force.

The strikes were a response to a Friday night explosive drone attack by Hezbollah at the Ali al-Taher Ridge, which severely injured an officer and two soldiers. The Prime Minister's Office of Israel condemned the drone strike as a violation of the June ceasefire. While the IDF acknowledged civilian casualties, it asserted that Hezbollah used the victims as human shields by placing them inside military headquarters.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes as violations of international law and the June framework agreement. Aoun described the attacks as a clear message intended to undermine diplomatic negotiations. Iran's Foreign Ministry also denounced the strikes as a violation of national sovereignty. Hezbollah vowed that the Israeli actions would be met with what they deserve.

The escalation threatens a planned eighth round of US-mediated talks in Rome scheduled for early September, which are intended to resolve the Israeli military withdrawal and the disarmament of Hezbollah.