Two Israeli soldiers were killed and four others seriously injured in clashes between the Israeli army and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
This is the first time Israeli soldiers have been killed in clashes since the ceasefire in Lebanon came into effect in June, following U.S.-mediated efforts.
Following this, the Israeli army launched intense airstrikes from Wednesday in southern Lebanon, saying that Hezbollah had violated the ceasefire agreement. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said that one person was killed and 12 others were injured in the city of Debnin.
Moreover, for the first time in several weeks, Israel warned the residents of the border village of Mansouri to evacuate immediately.
Tension amid peace talks: Although the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has largely held since June 20, Israeli forces continue to occupy several areas of southern Lebanon and are occasionally carrying out air and artillery strikes.
In this context, talks were held in Rome, Italy, on implementing the agreement reached on June 26 regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon areas and the disarmament of Hezbollah in the “forward” security zones, bringing them under the control of the Lebanese army.
However, due to the sudden tension on the ground, the talks held on Wednesday were cut short ahead of schedule. There is no clear information on whether the talks continued on Thursday.
Background: This conflict erupted after Hezbollah forces entered the battlefield in support of Iran in the West Asian war. Since then, more than 4,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon; on the Israeli side, about 40 soldiers and 3 civilians have been killed.
Houthi attack in Yemen: 30 government troops killed
In attacks carried out by Houthi rebels on Thursday in central and eastern Yemen, 30 soldiers belonging to the internationally recognized government forces were killed; more than 50 others were injured.
Government officials said these attacks were carried out targeting military camps in provinces under government control.
Since the Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, in 2014, the civil war there has continued unabated.
Government forces fought alongside the Saudi-led coalition. Since the ceasefire between the two sides came into effect in April 2022, the current attack is being regarded as the biggest outbreak of conflict.
