Lebanese President Urges US to Halt Israeli Strikes After Deadly Attack

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on Sunday for urgent U.S. intervention to stop Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, condemning the "dangerous escalation" following attacks that killed four people. The strikes, which focused on the Nabatieh region, also destroyed homes and damaged state institutions, including a hospital. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that two people were killed in Al-Nabtiah al-Fawqa and two women died in Arabsalim, with 20 others injured. The ministry also condemned the destruction of the Salah Ghandoor Hospital as a "gross violation of international humanitarian law."

The Israeli military claimed the strikes were in response to Hezbollah launching two drones toward its forces. However, Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for any such attacks. The Israeli army had issued an evacuation order for a building in Arabsalim, stating it was near a Hezbollah facility, but later struck another home in the same town that was not included in the warning, killing two women. The mayor of Nabatieh described the attacks as "outright criminality" and urged the state to defend its institutions.

Despite a de-escalation in hostilities since June, following a U.S.-Iran understanding and an "framework agreement," Israel maintains control over areas in southern Lebanon, declaring a 10-kilometer "security zone" along its border. Hezbollah has not claimed any attacks on Israel since June. On Friday, four people were killed and 32 injured in Israeli strikes that Israel said targeted Hezbollah sites, also claiming it was retaliation for a drone launch. Israel also announced on Thursday it had taken control of the Ali al-Tahir hilltop, considered a Hezbollah military site near Nabatieh. New talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials are expected this month.