BEIRUT — Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people on Saturday, hours after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, according to Lebanese officials.
Lebanon's civil defence agency said its teams transported 16 dead and 12 wounded to hospitals after strikes in the Nabatieh district. Lebanon's National News Agency reported additional casualties, including a Lebanese soldier killed in Kfar Reman and four members of one family — a father, mother and two children — in Barish.
The strikes followed reports of Hezbollah launching projectiles at Israeli forces, which Israel described as a ceasefire violation. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles overnight, prompting targeted attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure and militants.
Hezbollah denied initiating the violations and accused Israel of repeated breaches, including ground advances. The group said it was responding to Israeli actions.
The fragile truce, brokered with U.S. involvement and linked to a broader U.S.-Iran agreement, aimed to halt months of escalating violence along the border. It took effect on Friday but was quickly strained.
Lebanese authorities and health officials reported the strikes hit multiple areas in southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh and nearby villages. Details on the precise circumstances of each incident remained unclear.
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the operations, stating they targeted "Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites." It said it remained committed to the truce but would respond forcefully to threats.
Lebanon's health ministry has tracked casualties throughout the broader conflict, which has killed thousands since earlier escalations. Independent verification of all figures has been limited amid ongoing fighting.
As of Sunday, no major new incidents were immediately reported in the area. Hospitals in southern Lebanon continued receiving the wounded from Saturday's strikes, officials said. The situation remained tense, with both sides accusing the other of undermining the ceasefire.
