Israeli airstrike kills nine in southern Lebanon, jeopardizing ceasefire

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed nine people, including three Lebanese soldiers, when a military vehicle was hit on a road between Khardali and Nabatieh. The strike comes days after Lebanon and Israel agreed to a U.S.-brokered framework aimed at reducing border tensions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, calling it “a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law.” The incident raises concerns that the fragile ceasefire could unravel, undermining diplomatic efforts to stabilize the frontier.

Lebanese authorities said the casualties also included a brigadier general and a captain. Israel said its forces targeted suspected Hezbollah activity and that the area was an active combat zone, insisting civilians had been warned to evacuate. The strike adds pressure to ongoing negotiations, with Hezbollah rejecting the ceasefire proposal unless Israel fully withdraws from Lebanese territory.