Israeli strikes draw Lebanese President’s warning

Israeli strikes draw Lebanese President’s warning

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday condemned Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, calling them a “clear message” about the ongoing negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv ahead of the next round of US-sponsored talks in Rome early next month, AFP reported.

Aoun criticised what he described as continued Israeli attacks and repeated violations of the framework agreement and international law protecting civilians. He said an Israeli strike on a house in the southern town of Ansar killed an entire family.

At least seven people were killed and three others injured when Israeli warplanes struck a house on the outskirts of Ansar in Nabatieh district early Saturday, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported. The strike destroyed the building, while rescue teams searched the rubble for victims and survivors.

NNA said the attack marked the first Israeli airstrike to reach this far inside Lebanese territory since a ceasefire took effect two months ago. Israeli aircraft also carried out several strikes on Ali al-Taher hill near Nabatieh al-Fawqa.

The strikes came despite a framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel on June 26 under US sponsorship. The agreement calls for Israel to gradually withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory while the Lebanese army deploys in those areas and armed groups, including Hezbollah, disarm.

According to the report, Israel continues to hold parts of southern Lebanon, including areas it occupied during earlier conflicts. During the latest escalation, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.

Lebanese authorities say the Israeli assault, which began on March 2, has killed 4,335 people and wounded 12,277 others.

Aoun warned that the continued violations could undermine the negotiation process and further threaten the fragile ceasefire.