Israel Strikes South Lebanon After Soldiers Killed as Rome Talks Continue
Israel launched retaliatory strikes in southern Lebanon after two Israeli soldiers were killed and four others wounded in an explosion during a military operation on Wednesday. Lebanese authorities said at least one person was killed and 12 wounded in the Israeli response.
The incident came as Israeli and Lebanese delegations continued U.S.-mediated talks in Rome aimed at strengthening a security arrangement agreed in June to reduce border tensions.
The Israeli military initially described the soldiers’ deaths as a ceasefire violation by Hezbollah and carried out strikes in southern Lebanon. However, Defence Minister Israel Katz later did not directly blame Hezbollah or describe the incident as a ceasefire violation, potentially signaling that Israel did not want to escalate the confrontation.
The explosion occurred inside a building that Israeli soldiers had entered during a security sweep. It remains unclear when the explosive device was planted.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli strike hit the southern town of Tibnin, killing one person and injuring 12 others. Israel had issued an evacuation warning for the area, its first such online warning for Lebanon in more than a month.
Despite the latest violence, the Rome negotiations are continuing and are scheduled to run through Thursday.
