Two Israeli Soldiers Killed as Violence Flares in Southern Lebanon

Two Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, while Israeli retaliatory strikes left at least one Lebanese civilian dead, officials said.

The Israeli military began attacks in southern Lebanon on Wednesday in response to what it described as a Hezbollah violation of the ceasefire.

Israeli media reported that the soldiers were killed and four others wounded when an explosive device detonated in an area where they were operating.

Lebanon’s health ministry said an Israeli strike on the southern town of Tibnin killed one person and wounded 12 others.

The renewed violence coincides with the latest round of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome. In June, the two countries agreed to a US-brokered security arrangement intended to ease tensions along the border.

Israel, however, has said it will maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon to eliminate the threat posed by the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

(Reuters, bak)