7 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, state media says, in deadliest day since ceasefire

Israel launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to Lebanon’s state-owned National News Agency (NNA), in the deadliest day since the June ceasefire.

An airstrike destroyed a house in Ansar town, killing seven people and wounding three others on Saturday morning, NNA said. Rescuers are clearing rubble and transporting the dead and wounded to hospitals, it added.

A nearby valley was also hit, marking the first time this area was attacked since the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was agreed two months ago, NNA reported.

Israeli warplanes also targeted a teacher’s training college and a religious building in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, around 10 miles east of Ansar, with further strikes reported in the surrounding area.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure after the Iran-backed militant group carried out “an action” against Israeli soldiers along the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. The IDF did not provide any details on what the Hezbollah action was.

“We will continue to operate to remove threats,” the IDF said in a statement.