Deadly Strikes Follow Fragile Truce

Israeli strikes on south Lebanon claimed at least five lives on Saturday, according to Lebanese state media — a deadly turn that came just hours after a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group officially took effect.

The renewed violence has cast immediate doubt over the durability of the agreement, which was only reached the day before.

What Lebanese State Media Reported

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli warplanes and drones carried out a wave of attacks across the Nabatieh area overnight and into the early hours of Saturday. The strikes reportedly destroyed residential buildings and private homes in the region.

In addition to the aerial assault, Israeli artillery shelled Nabatieh and its surrounding outskirts before dawn, according to the same reports.

The Nabatieh area, located in southern Lebanon, has frequently been at the center of cross-border hostilities involving Hezbollah.

A Ceasefire Reached Just One Day Earlier

The latest violence is especially notable given its timing. Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire on Friday, following a sharp escalation in hostilities across Lebanon, according to a U.S. official.

The agreement was independently confirmed to Reuters by:

• A senior Israeli official
• Two separate Hezbollah sources

According to the U.S. official, the truce was scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Friday.

That timeline means the reported strikes occurred well after the ceasefire was supposed to be in effect, raising immediate questions about whether the agreement is holding.

Uncertainty Ahead

With casualties reported so soon after the truce was announced, the situation in southern Lebanon remains tense and unpredictable. Neither side’s long-term commitment to the ceasefire appears settled, and the early reports of deadly strikes suggest the path toward lasting calm may be far from secure.

As of now, this remains a developing story, and further details are likely to emerge as both sides respond to the latest events on the ground.