Israeli Strike Kills Seven in Southern Lebanon as Cross-Border Fire Continues

An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven people, including a child, and wounded 15 others including three children, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The ministry also reported a separate strike in the city of Nabatieh that killed a Syrian national and seriously injured his 12-year-old daughter.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported multiple Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday. The health ministry stated that Israeli attacks have killed more than 120 people across the country in the past week, including women and children.

The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its figures.

Israeli forces and Hezbollah have continued to trade fire since a ceasefire deal between the governments of Israel and Lebanon was announced on 16 April. Most of Israel's air strikes have targeted southern Lebanon. The Israeli military has said it is striking infrastructure and people linked to the Iranian-backed group.

Israeli forces occupy a strip of Lebanese territory along the border. Officials say the aim is to create a security zone free of Hezbollah fighters to protect communities in northern Israel.

Hezbollah targeted northern Israel with a drone on Saturday. The Israeli military said it identified an explosive drone launched near the border and that three army reservists were injured, one of them seriously. An Israeli army official said the military has introduced smart targeting devices into Lebanon to enhance its capability to counter Hezbollah drones.

Israeli authorities have reported 17 soldiers and one civilian killed in southern Lebanon, along with two civilians in northern Israel. The two sides had previously agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024 that ended an earlier round of conflict. Israel has carried out near-daily attacks on targets it says are linked to Hezbollah since then.