Israel launches fresh strikes in southern Lebanon as 600,000 displaced return

The Israeli army said it hit around ten Hezbollah infrastructure sites and a truck used for weapons transfers in southern Lebanon, responding to attacks on its soldiers within a security zone it occupies along the border. The attacks continue despite a peace framework signed on June 26 in Washington, which ties Israeli withdrawal to the disarmament of Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that troops will remain until the Hezbollah threat is eliminated.

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 600,000 displaced Lebanese have returned home since the cease‑fire took effect on June 21, while roughly 500,000 remain displaced. The latest strikes injured two people near Seddiqine and coincided with ongoing talks about transferring control of pilot zones in the south to the Lebanese army.

The conflict, which began in March after Hezbollah attacks, has caused thousands of casualties on both sides, with Lebanese authorities reporting about 4,300 deaths and Israeli forces reporting 38 soldiers killed and one civilian contractor.