Eleven Killed in Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon, Authorities Say
Eleven civilians were killed when Israeli air forces struck southern Lebanon on 15 August, the Lebanese authorities confirmed. The strikes targeted the town of Ansar, located about 70km south of Beirut, where a house and nearby structures were hit late at night. Seven of the casualties were confirmed dead, including three children and two women, as reported by state media.
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that the attack was aimed at a Hezbollah commander, citing a previous raid on Israeli soldiers. According to the IDF, the commander used civilian families as human shields, which led to the civilian deaths. “The strike was directed at Hassan, a lawful target under international law, not at the family members hiding beside him,” the IDF added.
Later that day, another round of strikes hit the town of Deir al‑Zahrani, killing four people and wounding five others, the Lebanese ministry of health stated. Footage circulating on social media showed large plumes of smoke and sirens, reflecting the scale of the violence.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks, stating the seven civilians killed were not military infrastructure. He demanded that Israel halt its escalation, stressing that the security and life of Lebanese people on their own land could not be negotiated or bargained over.
IDF’s statement clarified that the earlier incident occurred at the Ali al‑Taher Ridge—a high ground overlooking southeastern Lebanon and a strategic war zone. The IDF identified the target as Ali Samir al‑Haj Hassan, a Hezbollah battalion commander within the Radwan Force unit, and said it had eliminated several other ‘terrorists’ involved in the attack on Israeli forces.
In response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the IDF strike as a necessary response to Hezbollah’s aggression, criticizing the group for deliberately placing civilians in military compounds. Hezbollah dismissed these claims and said Lebanese civilians were deliberately targeted in their homes, many turned to human remains.
The January ceasefire framework announced in June aimed to have Hezbollah disarm, Israeli forces to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese army to deploy across the area. However, attacks and demolitions by Israeli forces have continued, raising concerns over the durability of the ceasefire.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strikes, highlighting the repeated violations of the peace framework. While Hezbollah has not engaged in direct negotiations under the pact, the ongoing conflict underscores the fragility of regional stability.
Negotiators from Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to meet for an eighth discussion round in September, though a final date remains undecided.
