Israeli strikes kill four, injure 20 in southern Lebanon

Israeli air strikes killed at least four people and wounded 20 others in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest escalation despite a truce between Israel and Hezbollah.The strikes began at dawn and hit Nabatieh, Arab Salim, Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Reman, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported.Two attacks reportedTwo women were killed and six people wounded in an Israeli air strike on Arab Salim after Israeli forces issued an evacuation order for a building in the town, according to the National News Agency.Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least two people were killed in a separate Israeli strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa.An Israeli strike on Nabatieh city also destroyed a historic building owned by the brother of a Lebanese parliament member and damaged several nearby buildings. In Kfar Reman, another strike destroyed the home of the town’s late former mayor. Five people were treated at hospitals in Nabatieh and later discharged.Israel says strikes were response to Hezbollah dronesIsrael said it carried out the strikes after Hezbollah launched two drones towards its forces in southern Lebanon, calling the move a “blatant violation” by the armed group.Since March, when Hezbollah attacked Israel during the US-Israel war on Iran, Israel has carried out air strikes across Lebanon and launched a ground operation. Lebanese authorities say more than 4,300 people have been killed in the attacks.Israeli forces continue to operate inside a self-declared security zone extending about 10 km (six miles) into Lebanese territory.The frequency of attacks has declined since a US-Iran memorandum of understanding on the broader conflict was reached in June, followed by a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon later that month. However, Lebanon continues to report Israeli air strikes, artillery shelling and demolitions of civilian buildings in southern villages and towns.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.