Lebanon has called for US intervention after Israeli strikes killed four people and injured 20 others in southern Lebanon, putting the fragile ceasefire framework under renewed pressure.
Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged the United States to help stop renewed Israeli attacks after strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least four people and injured 20 others on Sunday.
The Lebanese Health Ministry said two people were killed in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and two women were killed in nearby Arab Salim. At least 20 others, including women and children, were injured in the strikes on Arab Salim, Nabatieh and Kfar Remman. The casualty figures remained provisional.
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The latest violence comes amid a fragile US-backed framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel and follows an Israeli claim that Hezbollah launched drones towards its forces operating in what Israel calls a security zone in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon condemns latest strikes
President Joseph Aoun condemned the renewed Israeli attacks on Nabatieh and surrounding towns and called for US intervention to prevent further escalation.
The strikes caused extensive damage to buildings in the region. Lebanon's Health Ministry said an out-of-service Ghandour Hospital in Nabatieh al-Fawqa was completely destroyed, describing the attack as a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes also struck buildings in Arab Salim and targeted areas in and around Nabatieh. A historical building and offices belonging to finance and agriculture authorities were reportedly damaged in Nabatieh city.
Nabatieh Mayor Abbas Fakhreddine called on the Lebanese government to protect state institutions, saying the finance and agriculture buildings had now been damaged for a second time.
Israel says strikes followed Hezbollah drone launch
The Israeli military said it carried out the strikes after Hezbollah fighters launched two drones towards Israeli soldiers operating inside Israel's self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon.
Israel described the reported drone launch as a violation of the existing arrangement. Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli targets in recent weeks.
Before the strikes, Israel issued an evacuation warning for residents near a building in Arab Salim that it identified as a Hezbollah facility. The Israeli military later struck the location.
The Lebanese state news agency also reported a separate strike on another house in Arab Salim, where two women were killed.
Fragile agreement faces renewed pressure
The latest escalation comes despite a US-sponsored framework agreement signed on June 26 that provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army.
Violence in southern Lebanon had decreased following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding in June, while Israel and Lebanon subsequently signed the framework agreement. However, Israeli strikes have continued, particularly in southern and eastern parts of the country.
Israel has also maintained forces inside areas of southern Lebanon, including territory described by Tel Aviv as a security zone. Earlier this week, Israel said it had taken operational control of the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge near Nabatieh, although Hezbollah has not confirmed the claim.
Rising civilian toll
Lebanese authorities say Israeli military operations since March 2 have killed 4,358 people and injured 12,359 others, while more than one million people have been displaced.
The latest strikes have added to concerns that the existing framework is failing to prevent continued violence and civilian casualties.
The escalation also highlights the difficult position of the Lebanese government, which is seeking to strengthen the role of the Lebanese army while facing continued Israeli military activity and the presence of Hezbollah.
The exact circumstances surrounding individual strikes and the responsibility for specific incidents remain subject to competing claims from the parties involved. The reported casualty figures and damage assessments may also change as emergency teams continue their work.
Published: 06 Sept 2026, 04:51 pm IST
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