Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon kill nine people including three children, health ministry says

Lebanon says Israeli airstrikes on two villages have killed nine people, including three children.

One targeted a home on the edge of the village of Ansar early on Saturday and killed four adults and three children, according to Lebanon's health ministry and the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

The second airstrike was concentrated on the village of Deir al-Zahrani, leaving two dead and nine wounded.

It is one of the deadliest incidents in the region since the Israeli and Lebanese governments announced a framework agreement on 26 June.

As part of the plan, Israeli troops would withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.

It also set out steps towards an eventual peace agreement between the two countries - but Hezbollah has refused direct talks.

Despite the truce, Israel's military has maintained daily attacks.

On Saturday morning, Israeli Defence Forces also struck the strategic Ali Taher hill, which overlooks parts of the southern city of Nabatiyeh, according to the NNA.

Israel said the airstrikes were launched after an action targeting its soldiers in the area - and that it "will continue to operate to remove threats".

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the strikes intimidate "residents in their homes" and that the victims were "not military infrastructure" or "military targets".

He called on Israel to "halt this escalation" and said the Lebanese people's security and their right to life on their land "are not subject to negotiation or bargaining".

Two Israeli troops were killed in an explosion in southern Lebanon earlier this month, the first Israeli deaths since the truce.

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The most recent talks between the countries took place in Rome earlier this month.

Hezbollah previously criticised the Lebanese government for offering too many concessions without proper assurances of Israeli withdrawal.

Over 4,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the latest war started on 2 March.

Approximately 40 soldiers and three civilians have been killed on the Israeli side.

(c) Sky News 2026: Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon kill nine people including three children, health ministry says