BEIRUT, August 16, 2026: At least 11 people, including three children, were killed and 19 others injured in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, Lebanese health officials said. The attacks marked the deadliest escalation in the area since a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect in June.
The strikes hit areas including Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani in the Nabatieh region. Lebanese officials said civilians were among those killed, while Israel said its forces were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and a senior Hezbollah commander.
The Israeli military said the strikes came in response to a Hezbollah drone attack that injured three Israeli soldiers. Israel has accused Hezbollah of operating from civilian areas, while Lebanese authorities have condemned the strikes and rejected the characterization of the victims as military targets.
The latest violence has raised fresh concerns about the durability of the June truce and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah has vowed an appropriate response, increasing fears that the renewed exchanges could escalate further.
