Lebanon president says Israeli strikes that killed 11 send 'clear message' on negotiations
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people on Saturday, prompting President Joseph Aoun to say the attacks send a clear signal about ongoing peace talks. Hezbollah warned of an appropriate response.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Saturday that new deadly Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon send a "clear message" regarding peace negotiations between the two countries, according to a statement from his office.
Lebanese state media reported that at least 11 people, including three children and two women, were killed in Israeli strikes on the towns of Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani. It is one of the deadliest attacks on Lebanon since a US-led framework agreement aimed at easing hostilities was reached in June.
The president's office said Aoun considers these violations a clear signal about the negotiation process and US efforts to implement the agreement, adding that an entire family from the town of Ansar was killed in the strikes.
The Israeli military said the strikes were carried out in response to an attack by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah on Israeli troops in the Ali al-Taher Ridge, located within what Israel calls its security zone.
Background of the conflict
Lebanon became embroiled in the war between Israel, the US and Iran after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel in late February, following the killing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with a series of strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, establishing a "security zone" as its forces sought to dismantle what it describes as terror infrastructure.
In a statement later on Saturday, Hezbollah warned that the latest Israeli attacks would be met with an appropriate response. The group said Israel must understand that its acts of aggression and attempts to impose a fait accompli cannot continue, while also calling on Lebanese authorities to stop pursuing the US-led negotiations.
Under the June framework deal between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli forces were to gradually withdraw from Lebanese territory, contingent on the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and the dismantlement of their associated infrastructure.
