Israeli air strikes on Lebanon kill 11 people in another test to truce

Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people on Saturday, in the deadliest attacks since a truce between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on June 20.

Lebanon’s health ministry and state news agency said an air strike that targeted a home on the edge of Ansar village killed seven people, including three children, and wounded two. The second, on the village of Deir al-Zahrani, killed four and wounded 17.

Israel and the Lebanese government announced a “framework agreement” on June 26, laying out a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

It envisions steps towards an eventual peace agreement between the countries, which remain technically at war nearly 80 years after Israel’s establishment.

Hezbollah has refused direct talks and was not party to the deal.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticised Israel’s air strikes on southern Lebanon, saying they intimidate “residents in their homes” and undermine efforts to stabilise the situation in the south.