Deadly Israeli Airstrikes Kill at Least Four in Southern Lebanon Despite Ongoing Truce

Rescue workers using an excavator conducted a search operation at a destroyed house hit by an Israeli airstrike in Arab Salim, southern Lebanon. Israeli air attacks have killed at least four people and wounded 20 others in southern Lebanon amid a persistent escalation despite a truce.

The strikes began at dawn on Sunday, targeting Nabatieh, Arab Salim, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and Kfar Reman, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA). In Arab Salim, two women were killed and six people were wounded following a forced displacement order issued by Israeli forces for a specific building.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that at least two people died in an air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Meanwhile, a strike in Nabatieh city destroyed a historical building belonging to the brother of a Lebanese member of parliament, causing damage to nearby structures. In Kfar Reman, an air attack destroyed the home of the town's late former mayor. Five individuals received treatment at Nabatieh hospitals before being discharged, while another strike impacted the Sayyida Masouma Garden, completely destroying the remains of the municipal park.

Israel stated that the strikes were a response to Hezbollah launching two drones toward its forces in southern Lebanon, labeling the act as a blatant violation by the Lebanese armed group. Since March, when Hezbollah attacked Israel during the US-Iran war on Iran, Israel has conducted air strikes across Lebanon alongside a ground invasion. Lebanese authorities report that these attacks have claimed more than 4,300 lives. Israeli forces currently maintain operations inside a self-declared security zone approximately 10km (six miles) deep into Lebanese territory.

Although the frequency of attacks has declined following a US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding on the broader conflict in June and a subsequent framework agreement signed later that month, Lebanon continues to report Israeli strikes, artillery shelling, and the widespread demolition of civilian infrastructure in southern villages and towns. On Friday, strikes in the southern and eastern regions killed four people, including an 18-year-old woman, as Israel targeted alleged Hezbollah positions following a drone launch.

Earlier in the week, Israel claimed it secured operational control over the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh, though Hezbollah has not issued a comment regarding the announcement.

Amid these developments, Israel is reportedly considering a tactical pullback, evaluating whether to reposition its occupying troops three to four kilometers closer to the Israeli border along a new Grey Line featuring new outposts. Such a move would withdraw forces from parts of the Yellow Line north of the Litani River, though the plan lacks approval from Israel’s political leadership and the transfer of territory to the Lebanese army remains unresolved.

Hezbollah strongly condemned the military campaign, accusing the international community of complete silence and blatant American complicity, while also rejecting direct negotiations between Beirut and Israel. In diplomatic efforts, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a phone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to press for immediate de-escalation.