Israeli Strikes Follow Hezbollah Drone Launch

Israel struck southern Lebanon on Wednesday after Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward Israeli troops, according to the Israeli military. In a statement, the military said Hezbollah launched the drones overnight toward its soldiers operating in the Ali al-Taher Ridge, and that one drone was shot down with no casualties immediately reported. The Israeli army said it had targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the Nabatieh area and sites it said were used to plan and direct attacks against Israeli troops.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported Israeli shelling and airstrikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arab Salim and the Ali al-Taher Ridge, as well as machine-gun fire towards Zawtar. The agency also reported that Israeli military operations continued across southern Lebanon, including airstrikes, ground incursions, artillery bombardments, and demolition work.

According to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network, an Israeli drone strike killed two people in Kfar Roummane, near the city of Nabatieh. The same network reported strikes in Nabatieh al-Fouqa and the village of Kfour, as well as a bombing on Ain el-Tineh in the Bekaa Valley.

Ceasefire Under Strain

The incident is the latest test of a US-brokered ceasefire that took effect in June and reduced fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, though Israeli strikes in Lebanon have continued. Israeli troops remain in territory seized during the recent conflict. The Israeli military described the drone launch as a provocative act from Lebanon, saying it began a wave of strikes after its soldiers downed the drone in the Security Zone.

Humanitarian Toll and Displacement

A report issued by the Lebanese Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health said Israeli attacks have killed 4,353 people in Lebanon since the latest round of fighting began in March. On Sunday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam vowed that residents displaced from southern Lebanon would return "safely and with dignity." In a statement, Salam said the south should not remain an open arena for wars and conflicts decided outside Lebanon, and that the state must have sole authority over decisions of war and peace in Lebanon.