The Israeli army conducted strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. These actions followed accusations against Hezbollah of breaking a ceasefire agreement. Israeli military vehicles were positioned among homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, a village under Israeli control, as observed from Zawtar al-Gharbieh, Lebanon.
On Thursday, the Israeli military confirmed the deaths of two soldiers due to an explosion in southern Lebanon. The deaths are the first since a fragile truce was initiated between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in June. Four other soldiers were severely injured in the incident. According to an Israeli military source, the explosion occurred when soldiers entered Majdal Zoun village. The type of explosive used is still being investigated.
Wednesday’s military response included calls for residents of Mansouri village to evacuate, marking a first such advisory from Israel in recent weeks. Hezbollah has not released any official statement regarding these events.
The conflict intensified as Lebanese and Israeli diplomats met in Rome to discuss the June 26 agreement. This deal involves the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Wednesday’s talks were cut short due to escalating hostilities. Negotiations were scheduled to continue on Thursday.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported one casualty and 12 injuries following an Israeli strike in Tebnine on Wednesday. Further injuries were noted in overnight attacks on Burj al-Shemali village, although exact numbers are unclear. Artillery also targeted Mansouri and Majdal Zoun regions.
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict reignited on March 2, after Hezbollah launched rockets following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel. Over 4,000 fatalities have resulted from Israeli operations in Lebanon, with civilian deaths in the hundreds. Israeli losses include around 40 soldiers and three civilians.
Ceasefire efforts since June 20 have seen limited success, with Israeli forces still occupying southern Lebanon and engaging in occasional military actions. Talks in Rome have addressed “pilot zones” for phased Israeli military withdrawal, allowing Lebanese army control. Some progress was made with an unoccupied pilot zone that had previously experienced Israeli bombardment. Civilians returned to Zawtar al-Gharbieh only to find many homes destroyed.
A diplomat involved in the negotiations, speaking anonymously, mentioned Lebanon’s request for inclusion of heavy conflict zones, Khiam or Bint Jbeil, in the pilot zones. Both remain under Israeli occupation. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, cautioned against expanding pilot zones too quickly, citing risks to civilian safety.
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